UpRace Day 2026

UpRace Day 2026 brings the Vietnamese running-for-good movement together for an in-person race on Sunday 1 November at VNG Campus in Ho Chi Minh City. The event is part of UpRace, a community programme launched in 2018 that combines running, technology and fundraising. The organiser reports that across 2018–2025 the wider initiative attracted more than 914,000 participants, recorded 27 million kilometres and contributed nearly VND 36 billion to social organisations. Those figures describe the whole UpRace programme over several years, not attendance or fundraising at this single race.

Race format and course

The 2026 event offers three road-running distances: 5 km, 10 km and a 21 km half marathon. All are based at VNG Campus, Lot Z06, Street 13, Tân Thuận Ward, near the Saigon River. The organiser's current course diagram shows routes on roads around the campus, with a shared start/finish area and marked support points. Use the published course map rather than assuming the race follows a generic city-centre route.

The race-day timetable starts with athlete reception at 03:30. Half-marathon runners warm up from 04:45 and start at 05:00; the 10 km group assembles from 05:15 and starts at 05:30; 5 km participants warm up from 05:45 and start at 06:00. Cut-off times are four hours for 21 km, two hours 30 minutes for 10 km and one hour 30 minutes for 5 km. Course closures are scheduled for 09:00, 08:00 and 07:30 respectively. The expo area opens at 06:30, with presentations and awards listed for 08:30–09:30. The programme finishes at noon. All times are Vietnam local time.

Registration and preparation

The current regular-price registration period runs from 14 September to 14 October 2026, subject to category allocations selling out. Runners must be at least 14 for 5 km and 10 km, or 16 for 21 km; under-18s need permission from a parent or guardian. Participants should wear appropriate sports clothing and running shoes, bring identification, and use only their assigned bib. Organiser information allows changes or transfers until 15 October, subject to the published conditions.

Race-kit collection is scheduled for 30–31 October, but confirm the exact pickup desk and hours before travelling. UpRace Day welcomes company teams, clubs, students and individual runners. Visitors should allow extra time to reach the Tân Thuận area before the early starts and check the organiser's latest traffic and timetable notices.