adminAmid the morning rhythm of the island, Save Turtles Run 2026 took place with the participation of nearly 700 athletes competing across three distances: 5KM, 10KM, and 21KM.
On coastal routes nestled between the pristine beauty of mountains, forests, and the ocean, every stride was not merely an effort to conquer a distance, but also a collective expression of love for nature and shared concern for the sea turtle conservation journey in Con Dao.
This year’s season marks the 5-year milestone of Save Turtles Run, a journey that originated from the desire to bridge sports with nature conservation, and step-by-step transformed into concrete actions through each season, athlete, partner, and practical contribution to sea turtle conservation efforts.
Under the theme “Final Chapter – Beyond The Finish Line,” Save Turtles Run 2026 does not put an end to the values that have been nurtured. Instead, the 5th season serves as a transitional milestone, a time to reflect on the journey passed while opening up opportunities for the spirit of running for nature to continue spreading in new ways.
Con Dao – Where every step inspires love for nature
More than just a host location, Con Dao has always been a vital part of Save Turtles Run’s identity. The coastal routes, the peaceful rhythm of island life, the primeval forests, beaches, and the sea turtle nesting season have together created a truly distinct experience for the runner community.
In 2026, the Save Turtles Run route continued to guide runners through Con Dao’s iconic landscapes, connecting coastal roads, residential areas, and endurance-testing stretches. Beyond conquering personal limits, athletes had the opportunity to feel more deeply the harmony between the mountains, sea, and island life, where nature is not only to be admired, but also cherished and preserved.
After competitive and dedicated races, the champions of the season were revealed:
- 21KM Distance: Athlete Nguyen Tien Danh took 1st place in the Men’s category with a time of 01:28:41, while Le Thi Kim Chi led the Women’s category with a time of 01:39:23.
- 10KM Distance: The top spots belonged to Le Van Chi Cong in the Men’s category (00:36:39) and Nguyen Thi Hiep in the Women’s category (00:42:42).
- 5KM Distance: Nguyen The Viet Nhan and Khong Tran Gia Han secured 1st place in the Men’s and Women’s categories with times of 00:20:24 and 00:25:40, respectively.
Alongside athletic achievements, images of runners encouraging one another on the track, crossing the finish line together, and capturing memorable moments beneath Con Dao’s sky and sea continued to define the signature spirit of unity of Save Turtles Run.
From an idea to persistent action
In 2022, Save Turtles Run debuted in Con Dao with its inaugural season, gathering 153 athletes and contributing 107,900,000 VND to sea turtle conservation activities.
At that time, the vision of connecting sports with nature conservation might have been just a novel idea. But an idea, if not translated into action, remains merely a beautiful dream. And through each season, those initial footsteps gradually generated tangible value.
From initial strides, the program gradually evolved into a persistent journey – one where sports generate not only positive energy, but also foster genuine care for nature, Con Dao, and the island-marine ecosystem.
In 2026, the 5th season became a special moment to look back on what was built together, while paving the way for a new approach to the spirit of “Every Step, A Green Mile” in the future.
Save Turtles Run this year contributed an additional VND 100,000,000 to sea turtle conservation activities in Con Dao, bringing the total contributions during the 2022–2026 period to VND 529,000,000.
Behind those numbers is the combined effort of diverse communities from athletes, regulatory authorities, Con Dao National Park, partners, sponsors, and media entities to support crews, volunteers, and local residents. It is precisely this connection that helped a running event transcend the boundaries of a sports event to become a more approachable way of bringing stories of nature and conservation to the public.
Ms. Le Thi Ngoc Cuong – Head of the Race Organizing Committee, shared:”Save Turtles Run 2026 is a very special milestone for us. After 5 seasons, the most precious reward is not just the number of athletes or the achievements on the track, but the fact that more and more people come to know Con Dao, fall in love with its natural beauty, and care more about the sea turtle conservation journey. For us, ‘Final Chapter – Beyond The Finish Line’ is not an ending, but a moment to reflect on the values built together, and from there, continue to spread positive living, responsible tourism, and community connection in new ways.”
According to Mr. Nguyen Khac Pho – Director of Con Dao National Park:“The value of the program lies not only in the financial contributions to conservation activities, but also in its ability to connect the community with nature preservation efforts in Con Dao. As tourists and athletes better understand this ecosystem, they become part of the conservation journey themselves. That is the true spirit of responsible tourism—where every experience goes beyond exploration to actively create positive impacts for the destination.”
Beyond the finish line, the journey continues
Save Turtles Run 2026 closes a 5-year chapter, but the values created from this journey do not stop with the final whistle.
From Con Dao, the spirit of “Every Step, A Green Mile” can continue to extend through various choices: how each person explores a destination, how the community cares for nature, or how businesses, partners, and individuals collaborate to initiate new meaningful initiatives for the environment and local communities.
Text: VH Editor, Photo: The Secret Con Dao
