The men’s 100km division at the Vietnam Mountain Marathon (VMM) 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive races in Asian trail history. With World Trail Majors rankings on the line, elite mountain runners from across the globe are heading to Sa Pa to take on punishing elevation profiles and the unforgiving tropical terrain.
Here is the breakdown of the top contenders poised to claim the 2026 championship crown:
1. Guidu Qin (China) – ITRA 923
The undisputed frontrunner. Carrying an intimidating ITRA index of 923, Qin enters VMM 2026 with high stakes: a victory across the Hoang Lien Son trails could propel him directly to the top of the World Trail Majors leaderboard.
2. Terunobu Kurokawa (Japan) – ITRA 884 & Aleksei Beresnev (Russia) – ITRA 876
Both athletes arrive in peak form following dominant championship runs across major Asian ultras this season. Kurokawa’s technical prowess on steep descents combined with Beresnev’s relentless flat-out endurance make them serious podium threats.
3. Roka Magar Man Kumar (Nepal) – ITRA 849
The reigning 2026 Everest Marathon champion. Forged in the thin air of the Himalayas at over 4,000m, Kumar boasts unmatched aerobic capacity. However, making his debut in Vietnam, his ultimate test will be handling Sa Pa’s oppressive humidity, slick mud, and technical trails at a much lower elevation (~1,400m).
4. Vasilii Korytkin (Russia) – ITRA 828 & Simon Withers (UK) – ITRA 823
Two seasoned ultra-endurance specialists known for surgical pacing strategies. They rarely blow up in the early stages, making them dangerous chasers capable of hunting down exhausted leaders in the final 30 kilometers.
5. Arnie Macaneras (Philippines) – ITRA 818
A redemption story in the making. After crossing the finish line first in last year's edition, Macaneras suffered a heartbreaking disqualification due to a missing mandatory kit item. He returns to Sa Pa this year fully equipped and determined to reclaim the title.
6. Ngo Van Chinh (Vietnam) – ITRA 759
The defending champion and hometown hero. While his ITRA ranking sits below some international titans, Chinh holds the ultimate trump card: intimate familiarity with Sa Pa’s brutal terrain, acclimatization to the unpredictable weather, and the roaring support of local trail running fans.
The Dark Horse: Tinh Tran (Ninh Binh) – Master of "Local Logistics"
No preview is complete without mentioning the wildcard of the year: Tinh Tran.
A seasoned trekking guide from Ninh Binh, Tinh knows every ridge, shortcut, and trail contour in northern Vietnam like the back of his hand. With close ties to the local porter community, rumors suggest he holds the secret weapon of tactical mountain navigation—prompting competitors to check their shoulders anytime they hear a 110cc motorbike engine revving in the misty mountain passes!
May the strongest legs (and full mandatory gear kits) win!
