Yeongdeok County to Host First "Hope Race" Trail Run on Blue Road

Yeongdeok Hosts Its First Mountain Marathon
"Hope Race" Sends a Message of Recovery After Wildfire
Entry Fees Support Local Community and Economic Revitalization
Event Set to Become a Leading Regional Sports Festival

Yeongdeok County in North Gyeongsang Province will host the "Yeongdeok Blue Road & Korea Dulle-gil Trail Run: Hope Race" on September 13 along the Blue Road, renowned as one of the top trekking destinations in the country.

Yeongdeok County Holds First "Hope Race" Trail Run on Blue Road.

This event marks the first mountain marathon to be held in Yeongdeok County. Participants can look forward to experiencing not only the geological attractions included in the UNESCO Global Geopark but also the breathtaking scenery of Yeongdeok Blue Road, where mountains and the sea come together. The event is highly anticipated by enthusiasts.

In particular, true to its subtitle "Hope Race," the event carries a message of hope and support for the local community, which suffered significant damage from the wildfire in North Gyeongsang Province at the end of March. This makes the race even more meaningful.

The race is divided into three distances-6.5 km, 14.5 km, and 23 km-so that both beginners and seasoned runners can participate. The entry fees are 20,000 won, 50,000 won, and 100,000 won, respectively.

For the 23 km course, the entire entry fee will be linked to the "Hometown Love Donation Program," allowing participants to contribute to local development and receive tax deductions. For the 6.5 km and 14.5 km courses, the full entry fee will be refunded in the form of Yeongdeok Love Gift Certificates, encouraging local spending and boosting the regional economy.

The race will utilize two of the eight courses on the Yeongdeok Blue Road: Course 5, "Mokeun Path of Contemplation," and Course 6, "Gwaneodae Five Sceneries." Course 6 is a special section that offers panoramic views of the East Sea, the 20-ri sandy beach at Myeongsa, Songcheon River, Yeonghae and Byeonggok plains, and Chilbo Mountain, allowing participants to enjoy Yeongdeok County’s five most outstanding landscapes all at once.

‘Yeongdeok Blue Road’ Course 4 Emergency Restoration Completed, Reopening for Passage from September.

All 350 participant slots have already been filled, reflecting the high level of interest in the event. Yeongdeok County plans to expand the event each year, aiming to establish it as a flagship regional sports festival for the summer season.

County Governor Kim Kwangyeol stated, "I hope this event delivers a message of hope to the local community that has worked hard to overcome the wildfire and provides participants with an opportunity for passion and challenge in life. We will do our utmost to ensure the trail run develops beyond a simple sporting event, becoming a new asset for the region by promoting Yeongdeok as a destination and linking the event with tourism and culture."

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