Run like the wind – Marathons!

Written by on September 2, 2011 in Arts, Lifestyle

So, are you a runner? Are you one of those people who like to push themselves to the limit? Like, really, really the limit? Come autumn, Korea holds a slew of marathons and half-marathons for those who enjoy this self-induced torture (well, from my perspective) with many festivities and events to accompany them.
Korea is avid about marathons, not only because the perseverance and diligence which the sport requires are revered qualities, but also because of its significance in Korean history. In the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Korean marathoner Sohn Kee-Chung was the first to cross the finish line but when he took the stands to receive the Gold Medal, his expression was that of the utmost gloom and sadness. Korea was under the rule of the Japanese Empire at that time, so the flag on his uniform wasn’t Korea’s Taegukgi. The Korean daily Donga-Ilbo reported the news with the flag in the photo scratched out, resulting in the Japanese government shutting the newspaper down, and Sohn became a symbol of Korea’s fight for independence.

Famous Korean marathoners: Sohn Kee-Chung, Hwang Young-Jo, Lee Bong-Ju

Sohn’s legacy has been carried on by many runners in the generations that followed, but it was at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics when his Gold Medal feat was finally repeated by Hwang Young-Jo. Marathoner Lee Bong-Ju captured the Silver Medal in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and both Hwang and Lee have placed in top spots in various marathons around the world.

Marathons have become widely available to the public; there are even marathons for kids.

But marathons aren’t only about the pro athletes. Nowadays in this health-conscious modern society, marathons have become an activity to be shared by friends, colleagues, and family. As I’ve mentioned before, autumn is the season for marathons in Korea. Even if you don’t run, venturing out on a bright autumn day to cheer on the runners in their efforts can be an inspiring experience. If you are a runner, challenging yourself in one of the many marathons taking place might be just what you need.

Registration for the events has to be done in advance so check out the sites for the exact dates, while taking note of the entry fees and regulations. Many marathons accept the participation of foreigners; if you can’t register online, you may contact the offices by phone or fax for registration.

Gyeonggi Peace Marathon takes place in Paju

Here are some of the marathons scheduled for September ~ October, 2011:

September

Seoul

Gyeonggi

Daegu

Chungcheong

Jeolla

The Cheorwon DMZ International Peace Marathon (철원 DMZ 국제평화 마라톤), the Sunsa Marathon Festival (선사 마라톤 축제), and the Cnews Half Marathon (국토사랑 건설경제 하프 마라톤) have already taken place at the beginning of September, but check out their sites for information for the next season.

Pink Ribbon Marathon for breast cancer awareness

October

  • Dong-A Ilbo Gongju Marathon (동아일보 공주 마라톤) & Gyeongju International Marathon (경주 국게 마라톤)

http://marathon.donga.com

Donga–Ilbo has become inseparable from Korean marathon history and consequently has become host of the most notable marathons in Korea. The Seoul International Marathon, also hosted by Donga-Ilbo, takes place in the spring.

A charity marathon for breast cancer awareness, the marathon takes place in 5 cities on the same date of October 9th: Seoul, Busan, Daejeon, Daegu, and Gwangju.

Seoul

Gyeonggi

Busan

Incheon

Gyeonggi

Gangwon

Gyeongsang

Jeolla

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About the Author

Suzy Chung

Suzy Chung is a multilingual writer, editor, and translator with a marketing background. A coffee addict, bookworm, art junkie, foodie, oenophile, K-pop enthusiast, and occasional painter, she has been online since the mid ’90s when the internet wasn’t really the internet but a blue screen with text only discussions. She has lived in three continents but truly believes that Korea is the place to be and is willing to convince anyone who will listen!