Announcement and Partnership Scope

XTEP, the global running‑focused brand, issued a press release on 10 August 2026 announcing a five‑year official strategic partnership with the Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon. The agreement, effective from 2026 through 2030, designates XTEP as the marathon’s Exclusive Official Sportswear Sponsor and Strategic Technical Partner, committing the brand to a sustained investment in Vietnam’s rapidly expanding endurance‑sports market.

Event Profile and Participation Trends

The 8th edition of the Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon held in December 2025 recorded participation of more than 23,000 runners representing 81 countries and territories, confirming its status as Vietnam’s flagship marathon. In the same year, the 4th VnExpress Marathon Ho Chi Minh City Midnight attracted 13,000 participants, setting a new domestic attendance record. These figures illustrate the broader “running boom” in Vietnam’s major cities, where running has become a mainstream lifestyle activity.

Market Context and Growth Drivers

Global data from Strava’s Year in Sport Trend Report identifies running as one of the fastest‑growing mass sports worldwide, with Southeast Asia—and Vietnam in particular—emerging as a key growth frontier. The expanding base of both casual and elite runners presents an untapped market opportunity that aligns with XTEP’s running‑first global strategy.

XTEP’s Historical Presence in Vietnam

XTEP has been active in Vietnam for seven years, forging partnerships with every major national marathon series. Its high‑performance running footwear and apparel, proprietary performance technologies, and runner‑centric service framework have earned consistent trust among local running communities, establishing XTEP as a specialist running brand in the country.

Community‑First Activations

In 2025, XTEP launched the X‑RUN CAMP exclusively for the Standard Chartered Hanoi Marathon, delivering structured professional training for race pacers to raise on‑course athlete support standards. The brand also hosted closed‑door “Running Friend Gatherings,” bringing race organizers and veteran runners together to discuss course planning, logistics, and science‑backed training strategies. At pre‑race marathon expos nationwide, XTEP provides immersive experiences, including complimentary custom technical tees, on‑site foot‑morphology analysis, product testing zones, and interactive prize activations, converting one‑time race attendees into long‑term brand supporters.

Five‑Year Strategic Alliance Benefits

Unlike short‑term sponsorships, the five‑year framework ensures continuous professional resources for the marathon. Throughout the partnership term, XTEP will supply a full lineup of race‑ready high‑performance running gear and comprehensive on‑site support services, translating its sportswear innovation into performance advantages for runners of all levels. The collaboration also aims to raise industry standards for race operation, athlete services, and grassroots running development across Vietnam’s endurance‑sports sector. Vietnam serves as a strategic hub for XTEP’s broader ASEAN expansion, with the partnership acting as a testbed for the brand’s community‑led running model.

Executive Quote

A lead for XTEP Vietnam stated, “Vietnam's running movement is still in its early growth phase, and this five‑year partnership reflects our long‑term belief in the power of the sport here. Everything we do is rooted in our global proposition that running is at the heart of our brand. This is not a short‑term marketing activation — it is a multi‑year commitment to invest in local runners, race organizers and the future of running in Vietnam.”

Outlook

Backed by seven years of local market experience, proprietary running technology, and the landmark five‑year marathon alliance, XTEP positions itself to capture the full growth upside of Vietnam’s thriving running market, aiming to empower more athletes through professional, runner‑focused innovation.