Three-day event in Yeongnam Alps runs Oct. 30 to Nov. 1

About 2,900 runners to compete across six categories

A poster for the 2025 Ulju Trail Nine Peaks (UTNP) race. [Ulju-gun]
A poster for the 2025 Ulju Trail Nine Peaks (UTNP) race. [Ulju-gun]

Ulju-gun in Ulsan will host the 2026 Ulju Trail Nine Peaks race from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1 in the Yeongnam Alps, a range of peaks rising above 1,000 meters.

The Ulju Trail Nine Peaks holds a six-point certification from the International Trail Running Association, making it one of the most demanding events of its kind. The top 50 finishers of the flagship 9PEAKS course — a 122-kilometer route that ranks as the longest trail race in South Korea — will earn a spot in the 2027 TOR330 race in Italy.

About 2,900 runners will take part this year across six categories: four competitive events — 9PEAKS (122 km), 7PEAKS (96 km), 5PEAKS (45 km) and 2PEAKS (26 km) — and two non-competitive events — 1PEAK (12 km) and Kids Trail (9 km, open to families).

The 7PEAKS category, newly introduced this year, links seven summits — Ganwolsan (1,069 m), Goheonssan (1,034 m), Munboksan (1,014 m), Unmunsan (1,188 m), Gajisan (1,240 m), Cheonhwangsan (1,189 m) and Jaeyaksan (1,119 m) — across a 96-kilometer course with a 31-hour time limit. The signature 9PEAKS event covers all nine peaks of the Yeongnam Alps over 122 kilometers, with a 40-hour cutoff.

The 9PEAKS and 7PEAKS events set off Friday afternoon, followed by 5PEAKS and 2PEAKS on Saturday. The 1PEAK and Kids Trail close out the race on Nov. 1.

The event venue will feature an expo, activity booths and programs including climbing, face painting and chalk art. After dark, organizers will run a starlight cinema screening and a moonlight lounge where participants can enjoy music against the nighttime backdrop of the Yeongnam Alps.


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