Over 14,000 Registrations Surpassed
57.4% of Participants from Outside the City
Certified Courses and Family-Friendly Categories
Establishing Itself as a Nationwide Event
Boosting the Local Economy and Running Culture
Gumi City in North Gyeongsang Province has increased the participant quota for the "2026 Gumi Park Chunghee Marathon," which will be held on March 1 at the Nakdong River Sports Park, from the original 10,000 to 15,000 due to continued enthusiasm for registration.
As of January 14, approximately 14,000 people have already registered, and the event is rapidly establishing itself as a nationwide marathon competition.
This year's marathon will feature four categories: full, half, 10km, and 5km, with a total capacity of 15,000 participants.
This represents a 50% increase compared to the inaugural event in 2025, which had about 10,000 participants. Registration is open for 76 days, from November 20, 2025, to February 3, 2026.
"2026 Gumi Park Chunghee Marathon" Poster / Provided by Gumi City Hall
As of January, registration by category stands at 1,309 for the full course, 4,114 for the half course, 5,435 for the 10km, and 3,192 for the 5km, totaling 14,050 participants. Among them, 8,068 are from outside the city, accounting for 57.4% of the total, clearly demonstrating the event's ability to attract visitors from other regions.
There are also 5,982 local participants (42.6%), reflecting a balanced participation between local citizens and runners from across the country.
The full and half marathon courses are certified by the Korea Association of Athletics Federations, allowing for official record competition. As a result, runners nationwide continue to show strong interest in participating.
The 10km and 5km courses are especially popular among families and amateur sports enthusiasts, making the event inclusive for participants of all ages.
On the day of the marathon, participants and accompanying visitors from all over the country are expected to boost the local economy through increased demand for lodging, food, transportation, and overall consumption.
Gumi City anticipates that the event will lead to increased patronage of local businesses and broader consumption, as well as promote a running culture in daily life, expand participation in amateur sports, and enhance the city's brand recognition.
Gumi Mayor Kim Jangho stated, "We have adjusted the scale of the event to reflect the current registration status," adding, "We will work closely with relevant agencies to ensure thorough safety management and traffic measures, and we look forward to a smooth and successful marathon."
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