'530 Times a Year' Was Too Much: Seoul City Takes Action on Marathon Events

Increased Inconvenience for Citizens Due to Traffic Control, Noise, and Litter

As the number of marathon events increases across Seoul, resulting in growing citizen complaints due to weekend morning traffic controls, noise, and litter, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has issued new guidelines to address these issues.

Marathon.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on January 18, the city has recently established the "Seoul City-Hosted and Sponsored Marathon Event Guidelines" and notified major marathon event organizers.

First, for marathons hosted or sponsored by Seoul that require traffic control, the city has mandated that the starting time be moved earlier from the current 8:00-9:00 a.m. to before 7:30 a.m. This adjustment aims to ensure that events conclude around 10:00 a.m., thereby reducing complaints related to traffic restrictions.

The guidelines also specify the maximum number of participants allowed at each venue: 15,000 for Gwanghwamun Square, 12,000 for Seoul Plaza, 9,000 for Yeouido Park, and 7,000 for World Cup Park, among others.

It is explicitly stated that alcoholic beverage companies, including those offering non-alcoholic drinks, are not permitted to sponsor the events, in response to concerns that the symbolism of running is incompatible with alcohol. Until last year, companies such as OB Beer and Hite Jinro held events where they distributed free non-alcoholic beer to participants.

Additionally, the guidelines stipulate that failure to promptly collect litter generated on the roads during marathon events will result in penalties for future event operations.

Stage events at the starting point, including DJing, marching bands, and the use of electronic sound equipment, are prohibited. Noise levels during the event must be kept below 65 decibels, and all activities must comply with the Noise and Vibration Control Act.

Access to special facilities such as hospitals, the passage of emergency vehicles, and restrictions affecting people with disabilities and the elderly must be minimized.

Water stations must be set up every 2-5 kilometers, and for half marathons, at least 12 ambulances must be secured, while 10-kilometer races require at least 6 ambulances.

According to the running community website "Marathon Online," there were 530 marathon events held in Seoul alone last year. On November 9, 2025, seven marathon events were held simultaneously across the city, including at Seoul Plaza, Yeongdeungpo, Olympic Park, and Yeouido Park, causing significant inconvenience for Seoul residents.

Already this year, 142 marathon events have been announced for Seoul, and, as in previous years, multiple events are expected to take place simultaneously in the city during the spring and fall seasons.

A Seoul Metropolitan Government official commented on the distribution of the guidelines, stating, "This was an unavoidable measure to minimize inconvenience to citizens caused by marathon event operations."