(Chuncheon = Yonhap News) Reporter Park Young-seo = The '2026 Chuncheon Marathon', which runs in Gangchon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do, taking advantage of the beautiful autumn scenery of the Bukhangang River, had a powerful start in the Elysian Gangchon area on the 3rd, National Foundation Day.
Starting with the half at 9 a.m., the participants crossed the starting line in the order of 10 km and 5 km and ran a powerful race.
Half participants attempted to complete the 21-kilometer course by running about 9 km on the Gyeongchun National Highway and the Bukhan Riverside bicycle path, then returning to the starting point through Baekyang-ri Station and the Gangchon area.
On a relatively flat course, participants ran vigorously along the Bukhangang River in the cool autumn breeze.
Beyond the long line of runners, the surrounding mountains and the Bukhangang River, which were slowly changing their clothes, harmonized together, adding to the distinct autumn atmosphere.
Throughout the course, Namsan-myeon residents and cheering squad cheered on the participants with loud applause and cheers.
This competition, held with the slogan 'On the day when the sky opens, the sound of your breath makes the heart of Gangchon beat again', was co-hosted by Yonhap News, a national news agency, and the Chuncheon Athletics Federation, and co-organized by ICT specialist company The Pickt and the Korea Scout Federation.
The Chuncheon Union Marathon aims to go beyond a simple sports competition and become a public cultural project involving runners, local residents, and local businesses.
The purpose is to bring runners and families from all over the country to Gangchon, which was a symbol of youth and romance and a representative MT spot for college students in the 1980s and 1990s, and add new vitality to the area.
Last year, 69.9% of the participants visited from areas other than Chuncheon, and this year, all participants were provided with a Chuncheon Love Gift Certificate worth 10,000 won, adding to the meaning of promoting consumption in the region and coexistence.
This year, safety management using cutting-edge technology and transportation convenience for participants were further strengthened.
Safety management personnel and ambulances were distributed to key points of the course, and drones were used to monitor course congestion and unexpected situations in real time to help participants complete the course safely.
In particular, the on-site situation identified by the drone was delivered to the operation headquarters and safety personnel in real time, allowing them to respond quickly in the event of an emergency.
To improve accessibility for participants in the metropolitan area, the ITX-Cheongchun train, which normally passes without stopping, temporarily stopped at Baekyang-ri Station on the day of the competition, and shuttle buses were also operated between the competition venue and major transportation hubs such as Gangchon Station and Baekyang-ri Station.
Dae-il Hwang, CEO of Yonhap News, said in an opening speech read by Jae-hong Kim, Executive Director of Biz Plus, "Gangchon has been a tourist attraction symbolizing youth and romance for a long time, but it also experienced a brief period of stagnation. We want to open a new heyday for Gangchon by adding human passion and cutting-edge technology to its beautiful nature."
He continued, "This competition will be a milestone in the 'smart marathon' that combines unmanned drones, AI analysis, and T Map Mobility's real-time data connection," and added, "You will be able to focus only on the pleasure of running in the safest and most comfortable environment."
He also said, “Every step the participants take is a challenge to overcome limitations, and at the same time, it will become a win-win energy that will restore the vitality of Gangchon and revive the local economy,” and added, “Yonhap News, a national news agency, will continue to work deeply with the local community and put into practice the values of urban regeneration and community prosperity.”
