Yeongju Cancels Yeongju Sobaeksan Marathon Due to Wildfire Aftermath

Focus on Mourning and Recovery Efforts
After Wildfire Damage in Northern North Gyeongsang Province

Yeongju City, North Gyeongsang Province, announced on the 28th that the 2025 Yeongju Sobaeksan Marathon, which was scheduled to be held on April 6, has been canceled.

The Yeongju Sobaeksan Marathon has consistently attracted marathoners from across the country, as participants run on a certified course from Sunheung-myeon to Dansan-myeon, enjoying the beautiful natural scenery of Sobaeksan, as well as historic cultural sites such as Sosu Seowon and Seonbi Village.

This year, the number of applicants reached about 12,000, an increase of 4,000 from last year, raising expectations for the largest event ever.

However, due to a series of large-scale wildfires recently occurring in the northern region of North Gyeongsang Province, the Korea Forest Service has raised the national wildfire disaster alert to the highest level, "Severe." Accordingly, the provincial government recommended the suspension of local festivals and various events, and Yeongju City decided to cancel the marathon, prioritizing the safety of participants and the current social atmosphere.

Lee Jaehun, acting mayor of Yeongju City, stated, "The Yeongju Sobaeksan Marathon was a valuable opportunity to showcase Yeongju's beautiful natural scenery to participants nationwide, but at this time, the safety of participants and the recovery from recent wildfire damages must come first. We deeply mourn the loss of life and property in neighboring municipalities and, although it is regrettable, we will prepare an even better event next year."