Event centered on Geobukseon Island; traffic restrictions in effect during competition

Siheung city announced Friday that the 2026 Siheung Mayor's Cup Geobukseon National Triathlon will be held at Geobukseon Island over three days from Sept. 4 to 6.

Co-hosted by the Siheung City Sports Council and the Korea Triathlon Federation, and jointly organized by the Siheung City Triathlon Association and the Korea Triathlon Federation, the event is expected to draw about 1,400 participants, including amateur athletes and officials.

The competition will be divided into a sprint course and a standard (Olympic) course to accommodate varying skill levels and ensure diverse race operations. The sprint course consists of a 750-meter swim, a 20-kilometer cycle and a 5-kilometer run, while the standard course covers a 1.5-kilometer swim, a 40-kilometer cycle and a 10-kilometer run.

The schedule opens Sept. 4 with an official swim training session, followed by the sprint race on Sept. 5 and the standard race on Sept. 6. Athletes will compete along a course connecting Geobukseon Island's waterfront and urban areas, showcasing the appeal of triathlon.

The city said it expects the event — the first national-level triathlon held within Siheung — to boost the local economy and raise the city's profile as a marine leisure tourism destination. Officials also said hosting a national sports competition would help broaden participation in recreational sports and promote sports tourism.

Traffic restrictions will be in effect during the event. The city will temporarily reroute bus services in parts of the Geobukseon Island area from 7 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. on Sept. 5 and from 7:10 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. on Sept. 6. Affected routes include bus lines 28, 29, 33 and 99-3, as well as the Siheung wide-area call bus service (M-DRT), which will not operate on sections of Geobukseon-ro and the Geobukseon Dullegil perimeter path during those hours. The city urged residents to check bus schedules in advance and use alternative routes from stops near Aquapet Land, the Wave Park main entrance and the Bonita-ga stop.

Siheung Mayor Lim Byeong-taek said the event holds special significance as the first national triathlon held under the Siheung Mayor's Cup banner. "We will work closely with relevant agencies to ensure that athletes and visitors alike can participate in a safe and comfortable environment," he said.


pjh@heraldcorp.com