Vientiane International Marathon

Vientiane, Laos

Expected December 2027

Our best guess from a single past year. We'll firm it up when the organiser confirms.

Choose your distance

Marathon

Distance

42.2km

Start Time

03:30

Cutoff

6 hours 30 minutes (cut-off point #1 at KM22 by 7:00 a.m.; runners not checked in at the 3 hours 30 minutes mark must forfeit and be returned to the start/finish area on VIM designated buses)

Terrain

Road

From last year's edition. Details may change once confirmed.

Overview

The Vientiane International Marathon takes runners through the heart of Laos's capital on a city tour style route that links key streets, colonial era buildings, temple landmarks and the Mekong riverside. The marathon sets off at 03:30, the half marathon at 04:30 and the 10 km at 05:00, so most of the field is on the road while the air is still cool. Courses start and finish in Vientiane Capital and run on paved city roads, with drink and nutrition stations, medical assistance, pacers and bag drop provided for entrants. December is one of the most popular times to visit Laos, with dry, sunny days and mild temperatures, and the race doubles as a relaxed year-end celebration in one of Southeast Asia's most unhurried capitals.

City tour style route through the streets of Vientiane
French colonial architecture and Mekong riverside views
Pre-dawn starts that avoid the heat of the day
Golden temples and landmarks of Laos's capital
Cool, sunny December race conditions

The practical side

Start / Finish

Start

Vientiane Capital, Laos (Saphangmo area, Vientiane)

Finish

Vientiane Capital, Laos

Terrain

Paved city streets through Vientiane, running past colonial architecture, temples and riverside sections of the capital.

Route

A city tour style route that starts in Vientiane Capital and finishes in Vientiane Capital, taking in key streets and landmarks of the city including its colonial buildings and Mekong riverside views.

Getting There

Participants failing to reach KM22 within 3 hours 30 minutes will be transported back to the start/finish area by official VIM designated buses.

Race Day

All three races are held on Sunday 06 December 2026, with the marathon starting at 03:30, the half marathon at 04:30 and the 10 km at 05:00 from Vientiane Capital.

Good to know

What you get

Finisher medal

Finisher t-shirt

Chip timing

Race photos

Goodie bag

Event T-shirt

Timing chip (single use)

Pacers

Photo service

Drink stations

Nutrition stations

Medical assistance

Bag drop

Toilets

Three further inclusions are listed on the event page but are not shown

On the day

Toilets

Bag drop

First aid on course

Public transportVientiane is served by Wattay International Airport, with regional connections through Bangkok, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur, Vientiane's neighbouring capitals and other Asian hubs, plus cross border transport from Thailand over the Mekong. Most visitors arrive a day or two before race day and stay in the city centre, close to the start area.

Aid stationsParticipants are advised to consume only food and beverages supplied by the official VIM refreshment stations.

Before you enter

RefundsThe cancellation and refund terms are not published on the event listing. Entrants should read the terms shown at the point of registration and contact the organiser directly if they need to withdraw, as entry fees for international races are commonly non-refundable.

TransfersRace entries are strictly non-transferable. Registration information may be amended up until 31 October 2026; changes between 1 and 20 November 2026 incur an administrative fee of LAK 100,000 per request. No amendments are accepted after 20 November, and once a race bib or Race Entry Pack has been collected no changes are permitted.

Minimum ageThe event page raises the question of an age limit but does not state one. Age rules normally differ between the marathon, half marathon and 10 km, so entrants travelling with younger runners should confirm the minimum age with the organiser.

Time limitA cut-off time is listed as a frequently asked question, but no time limit is published on the event page. Runners who need a confirmed limit, for example to plan walk breaks, should ask the organiser before entering.

Collecting your numberThe event page lists race pack collection as a frequently asked question but does not publish the times or the collection point. Entrants should check the information sent with their registration confirmation or contact the race office before travelling to Vientiane.

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Vientiane International Marathon

Overview

The practical side

Good to know

What time of year is the race held and what are conditions like?

Are roads closed to traffic during the race?

Do I need a visa to enter Laos for the race?

Is the race suitable for a first marathon or a first international race?

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