Today, marathon races have gone far beyond the realm of sport, emerging as powerful drivers of economic and social development. The Standard Chartered Hanoi Marathon – Heritage Race stands as a prime example.
Thursday, October 30, 2025 – 19:58
Marathons are no longer merely sporting events that bring together running enthusiasts to test their limits. In recent years, they have evolved into powerful engines for local economic growth – attracting thousands of visitors, fostering community pride, and creating opportunities for business development across tourism, hospitality, transportation, and retail sectors.
According to statistics, the Chicago Marathon generated a record economic impact of USD 683 million in 2024, including USD 177 million from tourism, making it one of the most significant annual events in Chicago. Similarly, the Boston Marathon contributed USD 509.1 million through tourism, services, transportation, and a wide range of related economic activities in Boston.
What once began as a personal passion or a small community pursuit has evolved into an international movement, giving rise to “marathon tourism” as a global trend. According to the 2024 Global Runner Survey by Running USA, runners are increasingly turning marathon races into travel journeys, with destination ranking as a top factor when choosing which event to join.
Driven by a spirit of endurance and achievement, today’s runners seek experiences that go far beyond the finisher’s medal. They are motivated by the desire to explore the world on foot, to immerse themselves in new cultures, and to collect meaningful memories and stories worth telling.
As witnessed after the Standard Chartered Hanoi Marathon – Heritage Race, social media was flooded with excited posts from international runners. They enthusiastically shared their experiences of running along Vietnam’s iconic heritage routes – from racing through the heart of a natural world wonder at the Halong Bay Heritage Marathon in Halong Bay, to embracing the charm of the Mekong Delta waterways and the distinctive Southern culture at the Can Tho Heritage Marathon in Can Tho. In Hanoi, runners expressed their awe at the capital’s stunning autumn scenery while passing by renowned cultural landmarks during the Standard Chartered Hanoi Marathon – Heritage Race – an experience that seamlessly blends sport, heritage, and destination discovery.
In 2025, the Standard Chartered Hanoi Marathon – Heritage Race, with Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam as the title sponsor, will take place from November 7 to November 9. The event is expected to welcome approximately 2,500 international runners from nearly 70 countries – almost doubling the 2024 figure. This impressive growth not only highlights the race’s increasing global appeal, but also reflects the Organizing Committee’s strategic and well-structured efforts to internationalize the event.
The upward trend also aligns with global developments, as participation in major marathons worldwide continues to rise. According to the 2024 Sports Trend Report by Strava, the number of marathon and ultra-marathon participants increased by 9% over the past year. Runners are increasingly willing to travel to far-flung destinations, provided the location is compelling and the race offers a world-class experience.
Marathons generate not only direct economic value but also meaningful indirect benefits for community health. Running is widely recognized as an effective and accessible activity that helps prevent non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular conditions and hypertension – health challenges that medical experts increasingly identify as major public health concerns. The Standard Chartered Hanoi Marathon – Heritage Race is proudly organized as a smoke-free race, with the support of the Vietnam Tobacco Control Fund. This meaningful partnership delivers substantial community value by promoting healthier lifestyles, reducing the burden on healthcare systems, and raising awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco.
All of these factors explain why marathon events have expanded far beyond the boundaries of sport to play a vital role in socio-economic development. Participating runners, along with their families and accompanying visitors, generate significant revenue across accommodation, dining, retail, and transportation services. At the same time, host cities strengthen their identity, promote their image, culture, and investment potential, and create new employment opportunities. For example, the Chicago Marathon generated 4,589 full-time jobs in 2024 – a 24% increase compared to the previous year – further demonstrating the far-reaching economic impact of major marathon events.
For the Standard Chartered Hanoi Marathon – Heritage Race, the direct economic value generated for the city is estimated at VND 30-40 billion in local tourism revenue within just three days of the event. This figure primarily comes from international runners’ spending on accommodation, dining, transportation, shopping, and related services.
As a member race of the globally renowned Standard Chartered Marathon series, the Standard Chartered Hanoi Marathon – Heritage Race continues to affirm its growing scale and prestige as one of the region’s leading marathon events. Beyond sport, it has become a significant platform contributing to cultural, social, and tourism development, further positioning Hanoi as an emerging destination on the global marathon map.
Nearly 2,500 international runners will serve as ambassadors, spreading the image of Vietnam and its people to the world.
As they pursue their passion, they will immerse themselves in the local culture and landscapes, experiencing for the first time the sacred and poetic atmosphere of Thang Long – Dong Do – Hanoi, often described as a place that “echoes the soul of the mountains and rivers.” Runners will stride along a breathtaking final stretch of nearly 10 kilometers – completely flat – tracing the windy shores of West Lake, before continuing on a long, straight route toward the finish line at the Quan Ngua Sports Palace. When the race concludes, they will carry home lasting memories of a Hanoi – and a Vietnam – that is attractive, distinctive, welcoming, and truly different.
