Ha Thi Hau  (Hau), is a world-class ultra runner based in Sapa, Vietnam with an incredible story. She was born in the mountainous Van Son village in Northern Vietnam.

She began running when she was in high school.  Even though she was an excellent athlete, she was refused entrance into a university to study to become a Physical Education teacher.  This was not because of her grades or ability, but strictly due to not meeting the height requirement of 155 cm (she is only 153cm).  After this, she moved to Sapa, Vietnam to begin her work career. 

Ten years later, she found herself divorced, out of shape, overweight and with a child. This was all that she needed to begin running again. After two months of training she entered her first trail running race,  the 21 km distance of Vietnam Mountain Marathon (VMM), in Sapa.

 

That first overall win, was the gun start of a successful running career, the limits of which, still need to be discovered.