Muju County to Host 'Firefly Half Marathon' on May 25

Muju-eup Area... Half Marathon, 10 km, and 5 km Courses

Muju County in North Jeolla Province will host the 2025 Muju Firefly Half Marathon on May 25 in the Muju-eup area.

According to the county on May 20, this event is organized by the Muju County Sports Council (Chairman Song Jaeho) and co-hosted by the Korea Marathon Association (Chairman Jung Younggi) and the Muju County Marathon Association (Chairman Heo Dongil).

Exterior view of Muju County Office. Provided by Muju County

The event, sponsored by the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Kwanyoung) and Muju County (County Governor Hwang Inhong), will begin with the half marathon (21 km) at 8:30 a.m., followed by the 10 km race at 8:40 a.m., and the 5 km race at 8:50 a.m.

The start and finish point for all races is at 'Mujuchuksan'. The half marathon course loops around the sewage treatment plant, the entrance to the Geumgang Forest Trail, and the Chudong Anti-Communist Tower. The 10 km course passes by Muju Fire Station and near Soinaru Dongwon, crosses the Dangsan Bridge, and finishes at the starting point. The 5 km runners will pass 'Four Seasons', loop around the Chasan Village roundabout, and return via the second farm road entrance.

Park Youngseok, head of the County Facilities and Sports Operations Division, said, "The Firefly Half Marathon, which will take place along the beautiful Namdaecheon Stream and Geumgang riverside, is expected to serve as an opportunity to promote Muju, the city of nature, and to help revitalize the local economy. With more than 3,000 participants registered from across the country, we are doing our utmost to ensure a safe and smooth event."

The county, in cooperation with the Muju County Sports Council, Muju County Marathon Association, and Muju Police Station, will deploy and operate 73 traffic safety guides on the day of the event.

In addition, 55 staff will be stationed along the Mujuchuksan to Geumgang Forest Trail section, and 18 staff will be assigned to intersections and alleyways along the Neulmok Samgeori to Chudong Anti-Communist Tower section to control vehicle and pedestrian traffic, including roadside parking.

During the race, only one lane will be open to vehicles between Seomyeon Bridge and Riverside Samgeori, and between Market Dangsan Bridge and Chasan roundabout. The Mujuchuksan to Industrial Complex riverside road and Dangsan Bridge section will be strictly controlled.

To ensure the safety of the runners, the county will carry out road maintenance and cleaning along the race course until May 23, and will install more than 50 traffic control banners and signboards at major points.

Until May 24, the county will also provide information about the event and traffic control measures through village broadcasts and social media to minimize inconvenience to residents.

Meanwhile, next month, several other events are scheduled to be held in Muju, including the 'Muju Gran Fondo Medio Fondo', the 'Table Tennis Hopes National Team Selection', the 'Table Tennis Coach Certification Exam', the 'Firefly Badminton Tournament', and the 'Jeonbuk Governor's Cup Kendo Tournament', raising expectations for revitalizing the local economy by attracting more people to community sports.