Running in Soap Bubbles! ... Gyeongbuk Province Presents Unique Summer Fun with This Year’s 'Yecheon Bubble Run'

Over 1,500 Participants Nationwide, First Event a Huge Success

'Yecheon Bubble Run' held next to Gyeongbuk Provincial Library in Docheong New Town.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Gui-yeol] Gyeongbuk Province held the 'Yecheon Bubble Run' event from the 30th to the 31st of last month at a special stage set up next to the Gyeongbuk Provincial Library in the new provincial government city and along the Songpyeongcheon Stream walking trail.

This event was organized jointly by Gyeongbuk Province and Yecheon County for regional promotion and community harmony, attracting over 1,500 participants, including local residents and many applicants from all over the country.

Bubble Run is a unique sport where the goal is not who runs fastest but to enjoy time running through soap bubbles.

The event involved walking and running along the Songpyeongcheon Stream walking trail while being covered in soap bubbles made from natural, harmless ingredients.

Hosted by the Yecheon County Sports Council and held for the first time this year, the event provided entertainment, attractions, and a venue for communication and harmony among residents and visitors tired from the summer heat.

The event was conducted in compliance with quarantine guidelines, including mask-wearing and the provision of hand sanitizers.

Yecheon Bubble Run.

The opening night celebration, which started at 7 p.m. on the 30th, featured performances by singers Lee Ji-yo, Ji.Ssong, Hwang Ki-dong, DJ Tump, and the dance team Massa, heating up the midsummer evening.

The main event on the 31st included an opening ceremony, a 3.6 km bubble run, water gun battles, a water slide exclusively for children, and celebratory performances.

The celebratory performances featured Fever Crew’s Zumba dance, bubble art, b-boy performances, and songs by singer Lee Se-byeok, enlivening the event venue.

The bubble run course, covering 3.6 km without timing the finish, included not only soap bubbles but also water balloon and water gun fights, adding fun to cool down the summer heat.

The Songpyeongcheon Stream walking trail, where the running event was held, has been transformed into a waterfront relaxation space for residents through a river maintenance project.

The new provincial government city, where this Bubble Run was held, is a young and vibrant city with an average age of 33. Since the provincial government relocated there in 2016, the population has increased about sevenfold to over 25,000.

As convenience facilities gradually increase, the city is establishing its foundation as a self-sufficient city.

Lee Dal-hee, Deputy Governor for Economy of Gyeongbuk Province, said, “We will steadily promote the construction project of the new provincial government city until 2027, reinforcing advanced industrial functions to complete it as a self-sufficient city. I hope this event helps people recover their bodies and minds, which have been constrained by COVID-19 over the past two years, and creates enjoyable experiences and good memories that make them forget the heat.”