Noh Hwan-hui joins 'Aja Runner' program with his 11-year-old daughter

'I used being busy as an excuse not to spend time with her — this was a great opportunity'

Daughter Ajin says she feels closer to her father since they started running together

The program's second cohort filled up in just four minutes

Noh Hwan-hui and his daughter Ajin run together at a park as participants in the Aja Runner program. [Courtesy of Noh Hwan-hui]
Noh Hwan-hui and his daughter Ajin run together at a park as participants in the Aja Runner program. [Courtesy of Noh Hwan-hui]

Every Wednesday, Noh Hwan-hui, 41, of Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, leaves work on time and heads straight home. His job in public relations and marketing often means evening commitments, but he has been pushing those aside on Wednesdays through early July — because that is the evening he has promised to go running with his 11-year-old daughter, Ajin. After dinner, the two head out to Pyeonghwa Park or Bulgwangcheon stream near their home and run together.

"Running with my dad and chatting along the way, I feel like we've grown a little closer than before," Ajin said. "I like exercise, but running for a long time was tough. Now that I run with my dad, I can go further."

Noh said he had always wanted to spend more time with his daughter but kept letting busyness get in the way. "Then I saw that the Seoul Metropolitan Government was recruiting participants for 'Aja Runner' — 'aja' meaning 'dad and child' — and I signed up," he said.

The Seoul Family Center has been running Aja Runner, a virtual marathon in which fathers and their children run together to create lasting memories, since launching it in September last year. It returned this June as part of a citizen-participation campaign aimed at spreading a culture of shared parenting. The inaugural edition drew 250 teams and sold out in about 90 minutes. This year's second cohort, open to 200 teams, proved even more popular — registration closed in just four minutes.

Noh and Ajin took part in the first cohort last year and are back for the second this year. "Last year the focus was less on times and more on just being together — walking or running side by side," Noh said. "This year we set a goal to go farther and faster, and we cheer each other on."

Seoul provides participants with a finisher's medal, a mission booklet, a race bib, a wristband and sun patches. Participants can also decorate their race bibs with their own designs. "The park where we run most often is famous for its sunsets, so last year we called our team 'Sunset Runners,'" Noh said with a laugh. "This year our youngest is obsessed with Lego, so we went with 'Block Runners.'"

Noh Hwan-hui and his daughter hold up their Aja Runner race bibs. Son In-gyu
Noh Hwan-hui and his daughter hold up their Aja Runner race bibs. Son In-gyu

Since joining Aja Runner, the Noh family's daily life has grown richer. On weekdays, Noh runs with Ajin; on weekends, his wife and youngest son join them for family outings to the park.

"My wife handles almost all the childcare on weekdays by herself, so she absolutely loves it when I take the kids out for a run," Noh said. "My daughter is already in the upper grades of elementary school, and I feel like the time to make memories with her is running out. I'm proud that Aja Runner has given us another one."

He added that he has always wanted to be a good parent. "As my child grows and faces difficulties, I want to be a steady coach running alongside her — cheering her on just like we do now," he said.

To reach more families, the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to hold an in-person event in September to select an additional cohort, following the virtual format of the June program.

"A brief moment in everyday life can become a lifelong memory for a family," a Seoul Metropolitan Government official said. "We hope the experience of running together becomes a warm gift for both fathers and their children."


ikson@heraldcorp.com