HDBank Green Marathon 2026 – Green footprints in Can Gio mangrove forest and a digital boost for community sports

The HDBank Green Marathon 2026 has officially kicked off its fifth season with a quiet but clear message: community sports do not end at the finish line, but are stretched further by digital life and sustainable values. The event is held by HDBank in cooperation with Unique Company and the Ho Chi Minh City Athletics Federation, under the direction of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports. The biggest highlight lies in the 42km marathon course certified by AIMS – the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races. AIMS certification gives community runners confidence in distance measurement, safety and professional organization. Can Gio, a UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve, offers a course through mangroves, rivers and coastline. The terrain, however, can be variable. Local organizers will need to communicate safety instructions carefully. The event is designed for all ages and abilities with 5km, 10km, half marathon, full marathon, children and team categories. It is not an elite race, but rather a community event that helps build a local running culture. A digital runner, “Green Marathon online”, extends engagement outside race day and connects with HDBank’s mobile banking app. Previous editions planted over 2,000 trees and organized beach cleanups, demonstrating the event’s sustainability credentials. Competitive value is low, but the event’s industry and social value is meaningful. HDBank, with more than 36 years of sports sponsorship, is creating a model that combines digital banking, environmental protection and athletics development. Can Gio could also attract marathon tourism in the future. Missing data remains a concern. Without official splits by distance, gender and age, measuring grassroots growth remains difficult. Still, the race offers valuable signals: digital engagement, sustainable routines, and a marathon open to ordinary people who want to change their pace of life.