More Than 4,000 Runners Participate, Setting a New Record
at the Blue Road and UNESCO Global Geopark
The 21st Yeongdeok Beach National Marathon, hosted and organized by the Yeongdeok County Athletics Federation and sponsored by Yeongdeok County, the Yeongdeok County Sports Council, and others, was held successfully on June 15 with the participation of over 4,000 runners.
This beach marathon, Yeongdeok's representative summer sports festival, took place against the backdrop of the Blue Road, which is considered the nation's best coastal trekking course. The event gained widespread attention among marathon enthusiasts across the country, resulting in a record number of participants and further enhancing its reputation.
This year's event was held 15 days earlier than usual to ensure participants' safety due to an early heatwave. In the half marathon (21.0975 km), Shim Jinseok won the men's division with a time of 1 hour 11 minutes 48 seconds, while Ryu Seunghwa claimed victory in the women's division with a time of 1 hour 24 minutes 49 seconds.
Additionally, Park Hyunjun and Jung Sunyeon each took first place in the 10 km race, while Kim Daeseong and Kang Jeongwon each won the 5 km race.
Alongside the main race, a variety of side events were held, including local specialty promotion booths, tourist information, and various hands-on programs. These activities were well received by both participants and visitors. Building on the success of this event, Yeongdeok County plans to continue developing a healthy regional festival model that combines sports and tourism.
Park Sinhye, president of the Yeongdeok County Athletics Federation, expressed deep gratitude, saying, "Thanks to the active support of volunteers and the many organizations and groups who treated this event as their own, we were able to complete the marathon safely and successfully."
Kim Kwangyeol, the county governor, stated, "The large number of athletes and tourists who visited our county, which had been affected by a recent major wildfire, has greatly contributed to revitalizing the region. We will continue to develop the Yeongdeok Beach National Marathon, which is growing every year, as a leading icon of Yeongdeok as a sports tourism city by linking it with the reputation of the Blue Road, the nation's top coastal trail and a UNESCO Global Geopark."
Lee Bongju, a former national marathoner who participated as an invited guest, donated 5 million won to Yeongdeok County as a Hometown Love Donation to support Yeongdeok residents affected by the recent wildfire. Many participants were moved by Lee Bongju's good deed and voluntarily joined in making Hometown Love Donations as well.
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