Amid the dawn of Con Dao, Save Turtles Run 2026, organized by Akyn Hospitality Group and operated by The Secret Con Dao hotel, took place with the participation of more than 750 athletes, competing at three distances: 5km, 10km and 21km.
On coastal roads, amidst the original beauty of mountains, forests and oceans, each step is not only an effort to conquer a distance, but also a way for the runner community to express their love for nature and 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 persistently maintained by Akyn Hospitality Group and The Secret Con Dao hotel with the desire to connect sports, responsible tourism and nature conservation. With the theme “Final Chapter – Beyond The Finish Line”, Save Turtles Run 2026 does not put an end to the values that have been cultivated, but marks a transitional milestone for the spirit of running for nature to continue to spread in new ways.
Con Dao – where every step evokes love for nature
Not only the place where the running race takes place, Con Dao has always been an important part of the identity of Running for Sea Turtles. The coastal roads, peaceful island lifestyle, primeval forests, sandy beaches and sea turtle nesting season have created a very unique experience for the athlete community.
In 2026, the Running for Sea Turtles route continues to take runners through the typical landscapes of Con Dao, connecting coastal roads, residential areas and challenging endurance sections. Besides conquering their own limits, athletes also have the opportunity to better feel the harmony between the mountains, the sea and the island’s rhythm of life – where nature is not only to be admired, but also to be appreciated and preserved.
After intense competition, the season’s champions were revealed one by one.
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At a distance of 21KM, athlete Nguyen Tien Danh finished first in the Men’s group with a record of 01:28:41, while Le Thi Kim Chi leads the Women’s table with a time of 01:39:23.
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At 10KM distance, the highest position belongs to Le Van Chi Cong in the Men’s group with a record of 00:36:39 and Nguyen Thi Hiep in the Women’s table with 00:42:42.
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At 5KM distance, Nguyen The Viet Nhan and Confucius Tran Gia Han won the First Male and First Female positions with 00:20:24 and 00:25:40 respectively.
In addition to professional achievements, the image of runners encouraging each other on the running track, moving towards the finish line and capturing memorable moments amid the sea and sky of Con Dao continues to create the unique spirit of solidarity of Running for Sea Turtles.
From an idea to persistent actions
Year 2022, Running For Sea Turtles started in Con Dao with its first season, gathering 153 athletes and contributing 107,900,000 VND to sea turtle conservation activities. Since the first seasons, AKYN Hospitality Group and The Secret Con Dao have pursued the direction of turning a sports activity at the destination into a bridge between the runner community, tourists, partners and local sea turtle conservation efforts.
At that time, the desire to connect sports with nature conservation may still be just a new idea. But an idea, if not turned into action, will forever remain just a beautiful dream.
Through each season, those first steps gradually create specific values.
Year 2023, the program expands the model of combining in-person and online formats, creating opportunities for many people to participate and take the conservation message beyond the scope of a local running race.
Year 2024, the journey made another memorable mark with the story of successfully rescuing a 65kg green turtle, in addition to the experiences on the coastal road that have become beautiful memories for many athletes.
Come five 2025, Jogging For Sea Turtles continues to grow when adding the 21KM distance to the competition system, attracting more than 560 runners to participate and contributing 100,000,000 VND to sea turtle conservation activities.
From the initial steps, the program gradually becomes a persistent journey – where sports not only creates positive energy, but also evokes genuine interest in nature, Con Dao and the island ecosystem.
Year 2026, the 5th season becomes a special time to look back at what we have created together, while also opening a new approach for the spirit of “Every step, thousands of green miles” in the future.
5-year milestone and values after the finish line
In 2026 alone, Jogging For Sea Turtles continues to contribute 100,000,000 VND to sea turtle conservation activities in Con Dao, bringing the total contribution in the period 2022 – 2026 to 529,000,000 VND.
From a running race in Con Dao, the program has gradually become a bridge between the runner community, tourists, management agencies, Con Dao National Park, partners, sponsors, media units and the local community. It is that companionship that has helped spread the story about nature, sea turtles and responsible tourism more closely to the public.
Mrs Le Thi Ngoc Cuong – Head of the race Organizing Committee shared: “Run For Sea Turtles 2026 is a very special milestone for us. After 5 seasons, the most valuable thing is not only the number of athletes or achievements on the running track, but the fact that more and more people know about Con Dao, love the natural beauty here more and care more about the journey of sea turtle conservation. ‘Final Chapter – Beyond The Finish Line’ for us is not an end, but a time to look back on the achievements.” Values have been created together, thereby continuing to spread the spirit of positive living, responsible tourism and connecting the community in new ways.”
Mr Nguyen Khac Pho – Director of Con Dao National Park said: “The value of the program lies not only in its contributions to conservation activities, but also in its ability to connect the community with efforts to preserve nature in Con Dao. When tourists and athletes understand more about the ecosystem here, they also become part of the conservation journey. That is the spirit of responsible tourism – so that each experience not only stops at discovery, but also contributes to creating positive impacts for the destination.”
Five seasons, one green mark in Con Dao
Run For Sea Turtles 2026 temporarily closes a 5-year journey, but the values formed from that journey do not stop with the final whistle.
From Con Dao, the spirit of “Every step, thousands of green miles” can continue to be extended in very different choices: how each person discovers a destination, how the community cares for nature, or how businesses, partners and individuals create new initiatives that are beneficial to the environment and the locality.
Organizing Committee, including Akyn Hospitality Group and The Secret Con Dao, would like to thank the management agencies, Con Dao National Park, and accompanying partners FILMORE, VPBank, Cocoon Vietnam, Active Fox, East West Brewing, Sen Décor, VASCO, Greenland Travel, Aescentic, Vision Frame, Pocari Sweat, TH TRUE Water, Salonpas, ONWAY, Vinamilk Cao Dam, Nikon, Bao Minh Insurance, Himalayan Salt Candy…, Together with media sponsors, support forces, volunteer teams and the athlete community, we created Run For Sea Turtles 2026.
Five seasons is a milestone, not a limit. The running steps may stop at the finish line, but the love for Con Dao, the appreciation for nature and the actions inspired by it still have much space to continue to grow – in new forms, with new communities and on new journeys.
Event information:
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Event name: Run for Sea Turtles – Save Turtles Run 2026
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Topic: “Khép Lại Hành Trình – Lưu Dấu Sau Vạch Đích" (Final Chapter – Beyond The Finish Line)
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Time: Morning of August 9, 2026
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Location: The Secret Con Dao, 08 Ton Duc Thang, Con Dao Special Zone, City. Ho Chi Minh
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Distance: 21km, 10km, 5km
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Organizing unit: Akyn Hospitality Group and The Secret Con Dao
Lesson: Navigator Media
