Set for Oct. 17 at Nodeulnaru Park — Marathon, Environmental Experience Booths and More; First 250 to Register by Sept. 30

Two Courses of 3.21km and 6.5km Between Nodeul and Dongjak Stations, Marking World Forestry Day (March 21) and World Environment Day (June 5)

Poster
Poster

Dongjak-gu will host the fifth O2Run Environmental Marathon to reflect on the value of the environment and spread a culture of carbon-neutrality practices in daily life.

The O2Run event will take place at Nodeulnaru Park on Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This year's event carries added significance, as Dongjak-gu teenagers took a leading role in shaping everything from the concept to the program's design and operation.

Environmentally minded teenagers and local residents are welcome to participate, with two course options: 3.21 kilometers and 6.5 kilometers.

Each course reflects a symbolic date — World Forestry Day on March 21 and World Environment Day on June 5. The 3.21-kilometer course starts at 10:40 a.m., and the 6.5-kilometer course starts at 10:30 a.m.

Participants will depart from Nodeulnaru Park and run along the Han River trail — the third course of the Dongjak Chunghyo Trail. They will turn back at the halfway point and return to the starting point.

The scene will also feature various environmental experience booths, including a session for making eco-friendly keycaps and a recycling-sorting fishing game. By blending hands-on activities with play, the program aims to make environmental protection more approachable and fun.

After finishing, participants can take a commemorative photo at the O2Run photo zone, and the top three finishers in each course will receive small prizes. Every participant who completes the race will receive a wooden medal to mark the achievement.

The event will wrap up with a cheerleading routine and celebratory performance by a dance club from the Dongjak Youth Center, closing the day on a festive note.

Registration is open through Sept. 30 via the O2Run website or the QR code on the promotional poster, on a first-come, first-served basis for 250 participants.

Participation is free for teenagers, while adults pay 20,000 won ($15). All proceeds from registration fees will go toward purchasing saplings to be planted in local parks and other green spaces. For inquiries, contact the Dongjak Youth Center.

The district is also pursuing environment-related projects, including lifecycle-based environmental education, a carbon-neutrality mileage program and subsidies for eco-friendly vehicle purchases. These efforts aim to build an eco-friendly lifestyle culture together with residents.

Dongjak-gu District Mayor Ryu Sam-young said, "As teenagers are directly involved in everything from planning to operations, I hope O2Run will be an opportunity for many young people to take an interest in the environment and carry that interest into action." He added, "We will continue to pursue various environmental projects to expand the foundation for residents to practice carbon neutrality in their daily lives."


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