Gwangju Seo District: "Stay Healthy Up to 100 Years Old by Walking"

Slow Jogging Team Launch Ceremony Held at Sangmu Citizens' Park on the 4th

“Healthy 100-Year Walking School” Also Operated for Anti-Aging

Kim Igang, Mayor of Seo-gu District, Gwangju, is taking a commemorative photo with participants at the launch ceremony of the ‘Slow Jogging Group’ held at Sangmu Citizens Park on the 4th. Provided by Seo-gu District, Gwangju

Seo District of Gwangju Metropolitan City is expanding the operation of its Slow Jogging Team to accelerate the realization of a “Healthy 100-Year Life Era.”

On the 4th, Seo District held a launch ceremony at Sangmu Citizens' Park in Chipyeong-dong, with around 180 residents from six areas—Pungam, Sangmu, Chipyeong, Hwajeong, Yudeok·Dongcheon, and Geumho—participating. The district pledged to promote healthy lifestyles and establish a safe exercise culture.

Slow jogging is a method of running at a slow pace that reduces stress on the joints while effectively improving physical fitness and reducing body fat. It is gaining attention as a representative anti-aging exercise that anyone can easily practice in daily life.

This year, Seo District expanded the Slow Jogging Team from two to six areas and broadened participation from mainly people with chronic diseases to include any local resident.

Until October, the Slow Jogging Team will meet regularly twice a week for team-based slow jogging activities, under the structured guidance of professional community instructors. Once a month, participants receive strength training and customized stretching education tailored to different types of pain. In addition, once a month, all members from the six areas will gather for a group jogging session, share exercise results, and build a sustainable motivation and health management system.

Alongside this, Seo District is also operating the “Healthy 100-Year Walking School” for anti-aging. Until May, the district will offer a 10-week course, consisting of weekly sessions, to about 50 residents, providing both walking theory and field practice education.

The theory program includes basic and advanced education linking correct walking, barefoot walking, and slow jogging, as well as health promotion programs such as strength enhancement and exercise rehabilitation. For field practice, community instructors with walking or barefoot walking instructor certifications will provide group guidance. Graduates can also obtain the Level 2 Walking Instructor and Barefoot Walking Instructor certifications, through a linked training course.

Lee Eunju, Head of the Health Promotion Division, said, “Walking is an anti-aging exercise that any resident can practice in daily life. By expanding the areas and eligible participants, we aim to reduce health disparities and build a resident-centered healthy community.”

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