2,000 runners sought for 'eco-friendly ESG marathon'; mug cups replace medals
Shuttle buses from Seoul (Sadang Station via Jamsil Station; Sindorim Station via Seoul Station)
"A hundred years from now, people of the future will come to play along the Donggang River in Jeongseon!"
The 2026 Jeongseon Donggang Marathon will be held Oct. 17 at Donggang Eco Park in Jeongseon. Organized by Jeongseon-gun and co-hosted by the Jeongseon County Council, the Jeongseon County Sports Association and Kangwon Land, the event promises a distinctive running festival set against the scenic beauty of the Donggang River, blending past and future. Registration is open on a first-come, first-served basis for 2,000 participants through the official website.
Building on the first edition last year — which drew praise for its "past" theme centered on Jeongseon Arirang — this year's race adopts "the future" as its main concept. Under the imaginative premise that time-travelers from 100 years hence slip back to run along the Donggang River, the event invites participants to rediscover the value of Jeongseon's clear skies and pristine nature through a futuristic lens. The race aims to offer a narrative experience that goes well beyond a simple competition for time.
The race features a range of distances and formats — a half marathon, 10-kilometer and 5-kilometer courses, plus couple and family runs — making it accessible to participants of all ages and fitness levels.
A highlight will be a "future-concept photogenic event," where runners are encouraged to wear futuristic costumes and accessories. The most creative and original outfit will earn its wearer a "Best Dresser" award, with Jeongseon local specialty products as the prize.
At the starting line, a zip-line performance crossing the Donggang River's autumn scenery will add spectacle and atmosphere. National marathon icon Lee Bong-ju is also set to run the 5-kilometer course alongside participants.
The event also puts its eco-friendly ESG values into practice: instead of a single-use finisher's medal, every finisher receives a reusable mug cup, underscoring the race's commitment to sustainability.
To make travel easier for participants from the greater Seoul area, shuttle buses will operate in partnership with T-money GO. Two routes are available — one departing from Sadang Station with a stop at Jamsil Station, and another departing from Sindorim Station with a stop at Seoul Station — allowing runners to reach the venue without a car.
pjh@heraldcorp.com
