Muscat – Omani ultra-trail runner Yaqoub bin Khalfan Al Nadabi has become the first Omani runner to complete the 100km Vietnam Mountain Marathon in Sapa, marking a new milestone in his long-distance running career.

Al Nadabi completed a distance of about 100.9km, with a cumulative elevation gain of nearly 5,500m, in the 13th edition of the Vietnam Mountain Marathon, held from September 17 to 20.

Speaking to Muscat Daily from Vietnam, Al Nadabi said the demanding mountain terrain, slippery sections and distance required careful management of his effort and concentration.

“The biggest challenge was maintaining balance, managing my effort and staying focused throughout the distance,” he said. “Rainfall in the days before the race left parts of the course muddy, while some descents became very slippery. The mountain terrain also added to the challenge.”

The race started at 5am on Saturday from Sapa Square and took runners through mountain trails, villages, terraced farmland, steep climbs and descents before finishing at Topas Ecolodge.

Al Nadabi said his determination to reach the finish line while carrying the Omani flag throughout the race helped him overcome the toughest sections.

“In the difficult moments, I kept reminding myself of my goal from the beginning – reaching the finish line and raising the flag of Oman,” he said. “That was the biggest motivation to keep going despite the fatigue.”

For Al Nadabi, completing the race was the result of years of preparation and participation in ultra and trail races in different countries.

“This achievement means a lot to me. It is the result of years of training and participation in ultra and trail races in different countries around the world,” he said.

“But what matters most to me is that I achieved it in the name of Oman. Reaching the finish line and raising the Omani flag was one of the best moments of my sporting career.”

Established in 2013, the Vietnam Mountain Marathon is the country’s oldest ultra-trail race and now attracts up to 5,000 runners from 50 countries. Held in Sapa, north of Hanoi, the event takes runners through mountain terrain and valleys characterised by extensive rice terraces and communities of ethnic minority groups.

Al Nadabi said his preparation included long-distance running, climbing, training on different terrains, strength and speed sessions, as well as recovery work.

“The mental side was also very important because ultra races require patience, effort management and the ability to deal with fatigue for many hours,” he said.

The race also reinforced the importance of adapting to changing conditions.

“The most important lesson I took from Sapa is that you have to be prepared for changing conditions and respect the nature of the course,” Al Nadabi said. “Sometimes the challenge is not only the distance, but also the terrain and conditions that you have to deal with. This is where experience, patience and focus become important.”

The achievement adds another milestone to Al Nadabi’s ultra and trail running career, following his participation in races in France, Thailand, Türkiye and Vietnam.

Looking ahead, he said he plans to take on longer and more demanding international races.