Running Crew Joined by Park Hee-young, Yongsan District Mayor

Yongsan-gu, Urban Sprint! Launch of 'Yongsan Running Crew'
Running class opened on the 12th for residents, local workers, and university students
Weekly Tuesday 7 PM urban runs with an instructor for community fitness

The perfect season for exercise, autumn. Although the midsummer heat has eased, Yongsan is 'hot' with the passion of 2050 runners.

Yongsan-gu, Seoul (Mayor Park Hee-young) announced the first start of the 'Yongsan Running Crew' on the 12th at Noksapyeong Station Plaza, where about 30 participants gathered.

The 'Yongsan Running Crew' is a community sports program open to residents, workers, and university students in the district. It is a running class that runs through the city every Tuesday evening at 7 PM with an instructor, and interest was so high that pre-registration closed early and many inquiries for additional registration were received.

Before running, the instructor helps participants relax with simple warm-up exercises and teaches the correct running posture. Participants are divided into groups considering individual pace, running together with others of similar skill to match breathing and speed. The coach runs at the front as a benchmark, and the district office staff encourage participants from the rear to help them complete the course.

In particular, the district plans to showcase Yongsan’s unique charm as a city surrounded by the Han River and parks by utilizing various running courses. The three courses run alternately each week are: ▲ Han River Course (starting from the north end of Banpo Bridge ~ Han River Bridge turnaround ~ return to the north end of Banpo Bridge, about 6.5 km) ▲ Yongsan Park Outer Course (Noksapyeong Station ~ Samgak Station ~ Sinyongsan Station ~ Ichon Station ~ Seobinggo Station ~ Noksapyeong Station, about 6 km) ▲ Yongsan Family Park Course (starting from Seobinggo Station ~ Yongsan Family Park 1st Plaza ~ 2nd Plaza > two laps, about 6 km).

At 7 PM on the 12th, before the opening, about 30 people in light sportswear awkwardly gathered at Noksapyeong Plaza, tying shoelaces and stretching limbs as warm-up exercises. On the first day, a simple event was held, and after stretching under the coach’s guidance, the run began to enjoy the autumn night view in the city.

The first course was the Han River course, a straight and easy run, and during the break, participants also viewed the Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain. Participants encouraged each other by shouting “Yongsan Running Crew, fighting!” to those who were struggling. The first day of the running class ended with no dropouts as the last participant reached the final destination at Han River Bridge.

One participant said, “It was the first time I ran for such a long time. If I had been alone, I might have given up halfway, but running together helped me finish. Although it was awkward and difficult since it was our first time, I think I will look forward to this time every Tuesday.”

On that day, Park Hee-young, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, who ran with the participants from Noksapyeong Station Plaza to Han River Middle School course, said, “Although it was a short time, running with the ‘Yongsan Running Crew’ made me feel a sense of belonging,” and added, “I support the journey of the ‘Yongsan Running Crew’ as they take one step at a time toward their goals.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.