From dawn, upbeat music and cheers filled the air at the starting line by the main gate of Bien Ho Tourist Area on Ton Duc Thang Street, Bien Ho Commune.
Alongside the event’s official yellow-and-green uniforms, many participants opted for imaginative attire reflecting personal flair and cultural identity, adding a festive touch to the highland race.
![anh-ngoc-le-trong-trang-phuc-te-cong-cung-ban-tran-thi-thao-trang-hoa-trang-thanh-annabelle-anh-na.jpg](https://en-cdn.baogialai.com.vn/images/a7a16e2c4e8ded718caa3b95bd1e24cf5a02c9c178ad42e0b2f2fad1a2eb8f9007e56a4d1ff05266cc78a9d7f674fefc81058fccaf9d0d2035cf6dbfca94d78423796e3a3b17d325bd60f60709b36e98e64b118707439828df930a07770a5211e097b4c050fa8372c80aa65c5b24b8c9cae46e554f89558c848d3a71bb5fb422a10ce5a8732a14f7b791dc2c6d102563/anh-ngoc-le-trong-trang-phuc-te-cong-cung-ban-tran-thi-thao-trang-hoa-trang-thanh-annabelle-anh-na.jpg "Athlete Ngoc Le (left) dressed as "Te Cong" alongside Tran Thi Thao Trang, who was costumed as Annabelle, at the race. Photo: Na")
Among the crowd, spectators spotted eye-catching sights such as a “Te Cong running,” “Annabelle in the great forest,” a traditional Jrai woman, and even an entire family donning the classic Southern ao ba ba costume. These vibrant ensembles drew smiles and applause from onlookers.
Local participant Hoang Hai Ha, 44, from Bien Ho Commune, wore the traditional attire of the Jrai people. “I’m joining the race to improve my health and to promote the beauty of our local culture to runners from across the country,” she said.
Equally striking was the family of Do Xuan Viet, 23, from Kon Tum Ward, Quang Ngai Province. All four family members ran the same distance together in matching ao ba ba outfits from the Mekong Delta, chatting and laughing along the route.
“We usually choose different distances and clothes each year,” Viet shared. “This time, we wanted to show our family bond by running together in traditional Southern costumes, making it fun and memorable.”
Though the event lasted only a few hours, the vibrant colors, joyful energy, and smiles of the runners left a lasting impression on the Gia Lai City Trail 2025.
