As a running event aiming to contribute to sea turtle conservation and promote responsible tourism in Côn Đảo, “Save Turtles Run” has achieved great success in its four previous seasons (2022 – 2025), attracting over 2,100 runners and raising over 429 million for sea turtle conservation efforts.
This year, “Save Turtles Run” Season 5 promises to bring an unforgettable experience to participants with a stunning sunset race time and a variety of running distances suitable for everyone, from beginners to experienced runners.
Côn Đảo’s past as a penal colony is evident in its notorious prison system, where Vietnamese revolutionaries were incarcerated and tortured during the French and American regimes. Today, these prisons stand as national historical monuments, inviting visitors to delve into the nation’s heroic past.
In 2022, the first Save Turtles Run gathered 153 runners in Côn Đảo, raising awareness for sea turtle conservation and contributing 107,900,000 VND to preservation efforts.
In 2023, the event introduced both in-person and virtual races, attracting 1,317 participants and increasing the total funds raised to 121,700,000 VND.
By 2024, the race took place on August 17 with 234 runners at Côn Đảo, raising 100,000,000 VND for conservation. A remarkable moment during the event was when participants joined forces with the Côn Đảo National Park Management Board to rescue a rare male green sea turtle (65kg) stranded on Lò Vôi Beach – a powerful testament to the race’s meaningful impact.
The 2025 season marked a milestone with the Half Marathon (21km), drawing 500+ runners and contributing 100,000,000 VND to conservation. Its impact was amplified by inspiring figures: the resilience of Mr. Nguyen Quang Hung, the cultural flair of cosplayer Truong Ngo, and the moving presence of Mr. Tieu Van Phuc in his soldier’s uniform.
And in 2026, the Race promises to return with many innovations and creativity, attracting more and more participants from all over the world and creating positive impacts for the community.