Sat Apr 19 00:29:16 UTC 2025: ## East African Runners Find Fortune and Frustration in Vietnam’s Booming Marathon Scene

**Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam** – Vietnam’s burgeoning marathon scene, fueled by a growing middle class and lucrative prize money, is attracting a wave of elite runners from East Africa. While the potential for financial reward is significant, the journey is fraught with challenges, as evidenced by the experiences of Ethiopian runner Tesfaye Tsegaye Keress and Kenyan runner Edwin Kiptoo.

Keress, aiming to expand his family’s chicken farm, travelled to Vietnam hoping to win the $2,500 first prize at the Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon. While his speed is impressive by Vietnamese standards, he finished third, earning $1,000 after expenses. His experience highlights the competitiveness of the scene, dominated by runners like Kiptoo.

Kiptoo’s story is one of both triumph and adversity. Initially struggling to find affordable accommodation upon arrival with limited funds, he was helped by a local runner, Le Hoan, who showed incredible generosity. Kiptoo’s subsequent victories have transformed his life. He’s secured a major sponsorship deal with Do-Win Vietnam, providing financial security, visa support, and access to top-tier training facilities. His success has catapulted him to local celebrity status.

However, even for Kiptoo, the path isn’t without its obstacles. A sponsorship misunderstanding resulted in him receiving a significantly reduced prize despite winning a marathon in Hanoi. Other East African runners have faced similar issues, including instances of misleading prize announcements and unforeseen health problems.

The experiences of these runners underscore the complexities of competing in Vietnam’s rapidly expanding marathon market. While the potential for significant earnings is a powerful draw, navigating visa issues, unreliable prize payouts, and the inherent risks of marathon running present significant challenges for East African athletes seeking a better life through the sport. Despite the difficulties, the allure of Vietnam as a potentially life-changing destination for athletes is spreading throughout East Africa, promising a future where more runners may seek their fortunes in the Southeast Asian nation.

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