Running
I love running. I love running anywhere. I love running in the open outdoors, feeling the cool breeze. While traveling, I also love running through the streets of unfamiliar cities — weaving through alleys that tourists rarely visit, taking in the scenery and drawing a mental map of the city.
I place great importance on the sense of the season. In spring, I run while watching newly blooming flowers and pale green leaves. In summer, I run while fully savoring the calm night air. In autumn, I run beneath a high sky, breathing in the crisp air.
I prefer running alone over running with others, though I occasionally run with close friends. I enter a few races a year. I love running on the wide-open roads of a race, drawing on the positive energy all around.
Races I’ve Run
Marathon (42.2km)
| Date | Race Name | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 25.10 | JTBC Seoul Marathon | 3:43:03 |
Half Marathon (21.1km)
| Date | Race Name | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 26.04 | Seoul Half Marathon | 1:28:49 |
| 25.04 | Seoul Half Marathon | 1:56:00 |
| 25.03 | Gyeonggi Suwon International Half Marathon | 2:12:46 |
| 25.02 | Goguryeo Marathon | 2:10:25 |
10km
| Date | Race Name | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 24.03 | Dong-A Marathon 10K | 56:52 |
| 23.11 | JTBC Seoul Marathon 10K | 51:56 |
Running Routes in Seoul
One Loop Around Yeouido (7.8km)
- A course that starts at Saetgang Station and does one full loop.
- On Sundays, parking is free at the Yeouido National Assembly parking lot, so you can also start from there.
- You can enjoy both the natural scenery of Saetgang Ecological Park and the well-maintained paths of Yeouido Hangang Park.
- Running here in spring means you get to take in cherry blossoms the whole way.
- The feeling of completing a full loop gives a great sense of accomplishment.
- You can store your belongings using the lockers at Saetgang Station.
- In winter, the Yeouido Hangang Park side is very windy, and in summer the strong sun makes running tough.
One Loop Around Namsan (7.5km)
- The experience of running right in the heart of Seoul.
- The steep ups and downs make it feel like trail running.
- You can run past impressive landmarks like the Banyan Tree hotel and N Seoul Tower.
- Recommended to park early in the morning at Namsan Library parking lot and set off from there.
Jamsil to Banpo (10km)
- A course that starts at Jamsil Hangang Park and ends at Banpo Hangang Park.
- Because it’s a one-way course, you should run with minimal gear.
- The view when running from Banpo Hangang Park toward Hannam Bridge is stunning — especially in spring when the flowers are in bloom, and in autumn when the silver grass flowers.
Yangjae Citizens’ Forest to Jamsil (8km)
- A course that runs along Yangjae Stream and Tancheon Stream.
- The running path is very well maintained.
- It gets crowded, so running in the morning is recommended.
- Especially recommended on a spring morning when the cherry blossoms are out. The weeping cherry blossoms and forsythia are absolutely beautiful.
One Loop Around Banpo Hangang Park to Ichon Hangang Park (5km)
- A roughly 5km course that makes a rectangular loop.
- Starting at Sevit Island, the route crosses Jamsu Bridge, runs through Ichon Hangang Park, then crosses Dongjak Bridge back to Sevit Island.
- Recommended for cool evenings between April and October. Running under Jamsu Bridge when the Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain is going looks spectacular.
- It’s convenient to drive to Banpo Hangang Park, do your run, and head straight back.