Family walking event open for registration through Monday
Citizen story contest accepts submissions through Wednesday
Paju is organizing a family walking event and a citizen story contest to promote intergenerational communication and community unity. Both activities are being held ahead of the 2026 Paju Citizens' Unity Sports Day, scheduled for Oct. 31 to mark the city's 30th anniversary of receiving city status.
The walking event, themed "550,000 Steps, One Paju," is designed as a family-oriented activity in which grandparents, parents and children walk together to build bonds across generations.
The event will begin at 9 a.m. on Oct. 31 at the Gongreungcheon water play area and follow an approximately 2-kilometer route to the main stadium at Paju Stadium, where the sports day opening ceremony will be held. A total of 1,000 participants are expected to take part, and 30 three-generation family teams selected through advance registration will lead the procession as a symbolic gesture of generational unity.
Registration is open through Monday on the Paju City Sports Council website.
Paju is also running a citizen story contest under the theme "30 Years with Paju — My Story" to add historical meaning to the city's elevation anniversary.
The contest is open to residents with a special connection to March 1, 1996, when Paju was elevated to city status — specifically those who moved to Paju in March 1996, were born in Paju in March 1996, or held their wedding ceremony in Paju in March 1996. Any Paju resident may apply.
Submissions are accepted through Wednesday and must include a personal account of around 300 characters along with supporting documents such as photos or household registration records, sent to the designated email address. Between three and five finalists selected through a review process will be invited as featured participants in the opening ceremony's LED torch-lighting segment, where they will take center stage in a moment meant to embody a unified Paju.
The sports day at Paju Stadium's main field will feature athletic competitions among the city's towns and neighborhoods alongside a range of other programs. Highlights include youth street performances, a tourism promotion booth and various hands-on and exhibition spaces. A photo exhibition documenting 30 years since Paju's elevation to city status will also be on display, tracing the city's past and present.
Paju Mayor Son Bae-chan said the sports day would serve as "a meaningful gathering where Paju's 550,000 citizens come together as one and leap toward the future" to mark the city's 30th anniversary. He urged residents to join with family and neighbors "to walk, run and create joyful memories together."
Further details about the events and the contest are available on the Paju city government website and through the Paju City Sports Council.
pjh@heraldcorp.com
