Park walking trails at World Cup Park and Seoul Botanic Park to host new events

GPS workout verification and fitness tests added to the mix

[Provided by Seoul Metropolitan Government]
[Provided by Seoul Metropolitan Government]

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it will launch a park-linked edition of its "Swaeom Swaeom Morning" program, making use of walking trails at World Cup Park and Seoul Botanic Park.

The first event will be held Sunday at World Cup Park in Sangam-dong, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Participants will set off from the park's Constellation Plaza and follow a roughly 4-kilometer round-trip route along the Metasequoia Trail, one of the park's most popular walking paths. Constellation Plaza will also host a "Seoul Fitness Test" station, where participants can check their fitness levels and try various recreational sports programs before and after the walk.

The second park-linked event follows the next Sunday at Seoul Botanic Park, where participants can take in nature in the heart of the city along the garden's green spaces and walking paths.

The basic course covers a roughly 2-kilometer round trip, but participants can walk or run anywhere from 1 to 5 kilometers by connecting nearby trails, depending on their fitness level and goals.

A GPS workout verification event will also be held, where participants record their own distance and route. Using a running or fitness app on their smartphones, they log their GPS-tracked path and distance, then verify it on-site.

[Provided by Seoul Metropolitan Government]
[Provided by Seoul Metropolitan Government]

Participants who verify their attendance on the day of the botanic park event can visit the park's themed garden and greenhouse at group admission rates, rounding out their morning workout with a garden tour.

As with previous editions, the event requires no advance registration and involves no timed competition — participants simply join at their own pace. Families with strollers and anyone else who wants to walk or run are welcome to take part freely during event hours.

However, bicycles and kick scooters will not be permitted, in keeping with park rules, to maintain a safe and comfortable environment for pedestrians.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it plans to expand the park-linked Swaeom Swaeom Morning beyond roads and the Han River to cover more distinctive spaces across the city, including additional parks.

"Citizens have responded enthusiastically to Swaeom Swaeom Morning as we have brought in new venues and content, so this time we want to offer a fresh experience of walking and running while enjoying the natural setting of a park," said Jo Seong-ho, director of the city's Tourism and Sports Bureau. "We hope residents will enjoy a relaxed weekend morning at their own pace with family and friends, and discover the joy of exercise in everyday life."

Swaeom Swaeom Morning is a Seoul-style open recreational sports program that, unlike large competitive marathons, welcomes participants however they like — walking, running, cycling, pushing a stroller or bringing a pet. The program launched in March around Yeouido Park, applying a partial lane-control approach rather than full road closures to minimize disruption to residents. In July, events were held along the Yeouido-daero–Mapo Bridge stretch and between Seoul Plaza, the Sejong-daero intersection and the Sungnyemun roundabout.


cook@heraldcorp.com