Naju-si to Host 'Marathon Race' on Yeongsangang River on October 8

Published 07 Aug.2023 14:13(KST)

Naju City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Yoon Byung-tae) announced on the 7th that it will hold the ‘2023 MBN Naju Marathon’ on October 8 along the Yeongsan River Riverside Road.

The event is hosted by MBN and Maeil Business Newspaper and organized by the Naju City Athletics Federation.

Earlier in March, the city signed a business agreement with MBN and the Naju City Athletics Federation to foster a premium marathon event centered around the Yeongsan River, preparing to hold the inaugural event this fall.

Naju-si to Host 'Marathon Race' on Yeongsangang River on October 8

The competition categories include individual events such as ‘Half’ (21.0975 km), ‘10 km’, and ‘5 km’, as well as a team (group) event in the ‘Half’ category.

Each team consists of 6 members (5 men and 1 woman). However, participants in the team event must meet age requirements: men in their 30s (1 person), 40s (2 persons), 50 and above (2 persons), and women aged 20 and above (1 person).

The race course not only follows the Yeongsan River Riverside Road but also passes through various tourist spots where participants can glimpse the history and culture of Naju.

The course starts at Naju Sports Complex and goes through Yeongsan Bridge - Yeonggang Intersection - City Hall Front - LG Chem Front - Geumseong District Intersection - Namgomon - Naju Student Independence Movement Memorial Hall - Dongjeom Gate - Dolgogae Intersection - Naju Bridge and Yeongsan Riverside Road (towards Yeongsanpo) - Yeongsan River Lower Bicycle Road - Yeongsan Bridge (Yeongsan Intersection) - Gujinpo Road - Pungho Rotary (in front of Baekho Imje Bunhakgwan, turnaround point), finishing back at the Sports Complex.

Applications for the marathon can be submitted online through the ‘MBN Naju Marathon’ website until the 10th of next month.

Entry fees are 35,000 KRW for individual Half and 10 km races, 15,000 KRW for the 5 km race, and 200,000 KRW for the team Half course. Groups or clubs with 20 or more participants receive a 20% discount on the entry fee.

All participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt and local specialty products, and finishers will be awarded a commemorative medal and a certificate of completion.

Prizes will be awarded to the top 20 finishers in individual categories. The winning team club will receive the championship flag, trophy, prize money, and a footprint will be created and enshrined on the Walk of Fame.

Running videos of Yeongsan River marathoners will be broadcast live on the MBN channel on the day of the event. MBN plans to produce and air a documentary showcasing the participants’ challenges.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae said, “We invite marathoners nationwide to this marathon where they can enjoy the autumn atmosphere while feeling the cool river breeze blowing across the vast golden Naju Plain and the lifeline of Honam, the Yeongsan River.”

He added, “This event will not only be about the marathon but also an opportunity to experience Naju’s tourism charm through its historical and cultural resources dating back 2,000 years to the ancient Mahan period, beautiful ecological scenery, and diverse attractions and food.”