Seonyang Bare Body Marathon Kicks Off in Daejeon on January 1
In the Netherlands, Participants Take the Plunge in Swimsuits
Despite the biting cold, some people welcome the New Year with renewed determination by participating in nude marathons or plunging into the water in swimsuits.
In the Netherlands, there is an event called 'Nieuwjaarsduik' where people wear swimsuits and plunge into the sea or river on New Year's Day. Official website of the Nieuwjaarsduik event
On January 1, the city of Daejeon will host the "Seonyang Bare Body Marathon," organized by Seonyang Soju Co., Ltd., which will start at exactly 11:11:11 AM. On January 4, the "2026 National New Year Bare Body Marathon" will take place in Daegu. Since 2008, this event has been held every year on the first Sunday of January, aiming to promote a healthy start to the year and to strengthen participants' resolve for the coming year.
Of course, "bare body marathon" does not mean running completely naked. For the National New Year Bare Body Marathon, both male and female participants are required to wear shorts, and only male participants are allowed to run without shirts. Anyone who violates these rules will be excluded from receiving awards.
In Madrid, Spain, the "San Silvestre Vallecana" 10km running race is held every year on December 31. Participants can join the race dressed in unique costumes, such as Santa Claus. Official website of San Silvestre Vallecana
In Madrid, Spain, the "San Silvestre Vallecana" marathon takes place on December 31, the day before the New Year, where participants run 10 kilometers through the city center in unique costumes. As an inclusive marathon, runners dress up as cartoon characters or Santa Claus, wearing distinctive outfits. There is also a separate category for elite athletes. In 2019, World Athletics awarded the San Silvestre Vallecana the "Gold Race Label," certifying it as a world-class event.
Beyond running through city streets, there are also unique events to welcome the New Year by jumping into icy waters during the winter.
At English Bay in Vancouver, Canada, the annual "Polar Bear Swim Dip" is held to mark the New Year. Participants dive into the frigid Pacific Ocean with a fresh mindset. This traditional event has been held every New Year since 1920. Those who are confident even compete in a 100-yard (about 91 meters) swimming race. Last year, marking its 105th anniversary, 13,265 people took part in the event.
In the Netherlands, there is the "Nieuwjaarsduik" event, where people wear swimsuits and jump into the sea or river on New Year's Day. It is a major event with about 50,000 participants across the country. Families often join together, shouting a countdown before plunging into the water and then enjoying hot food, creating a festive atmosphere. The average minimum temperature in the Netherlands in January is about 0.5 degrees Celsius. Because the sea and river water are so cold, organizers station safety personnel around the event sites to prepare for any sudden accidents.
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