Running on the Hangang with Only Starting Point Approval? Ultramarathon Postponed Amid Heated Debate

Seoul City: "Unauthorized Event Without Prior Approval"

Organizers Protest "Unfair Pressure from Authorities"

Debate Over Permits Escalates to Refund Disputes

Amid the running boom and the increasing number of marathon events, the 4th Seoul Hangang Ultramarathon, scheduled to take place on May 16, has been temporarily postponed following a dispute over the approval for the use of Hangang Park. The controversy escalated into a legal battle after conflicts arose between the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Future Hangang Headquarters and the event organizing committee over the permit process, as well as new issues related to participant refunds.

Detour route at Ttukseom Park along the Han River, as announced by the Seoul Han River Ultramarathon organizers. Seoul Han River Ultramarathon Organizing Committee website

On the night of May 14, the Seoul Hangang Ultramarathon Organizing Committee announced the temporary postponement of the event on its official website. The committee stated that the event could not proceed as planned due to Dongdaemun District Office's cancellation of the venue use approval, and that if they were to push ahead in the face of administrative non-cooperation and physical obstruction, route confusion would be expected. The committee has insisted on the event's legitimacy, based on their prior approval for the use of Janghan 1 Riverside Park in Dongdaemun-gu.

This event was planned as a 100km and 50km ultramarathon, starting from Janghan 1 Riverside Park in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, and passing through the area of Ttukseom Hangang Park in Gwangjin-gu, with approximately 1,500 participants registered. The problem began because the event course included sections of Hangang Park, but no separate venue use approval was obtained from the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Future Hangang Headquarters.

The Hangang Marathon for 1,500 Runners Comes to an Abrupt Halt... Seoul City: "Unauthorized Event" vs. Organizers: "Administrative Abuse"

According to Seoul City guidelines, sports and general events in Hangang Park require the submission of a venue use application and a safety plan, followed by review and approval by the relevant department. Therefore, the Future Hangang Headquarters maintains that, for a marathon in Hangang Park with more than 500 participants, a detailed event plan and safety management plan must be submitted in advance and approved.

Concerns over safety were heightened because a drone light show was also scheduled for May 16 in the Ttukseom Hangang Park area, the same date as the marathon. Seoul City anticipated an audience of around 30,000 for the drone show and determined that if the 1,500 marathon participants were added, there would be severe congestion and safety risks for pedestrian traffic. The Future Hangang Headquarters also announced its intention to file criminal charges for violations of the River Act if the organizers pushed ahead with the event.

In contrast, the organizing committee protested that the Future Hangang Headquarters had damaged the reputation of the event by posting a notice labeling it as an "illegal event." They also argued that, in order to minimize inconvenience for citizens, they had arranged a detour route at Ttukseom Hangang Park and developed a safety management plan in an attempt to negotiate, but the Future Hangang Headquarters refused to accept their application at all. The Seoul Hangang Ultramarathon Organizing Committee has announced its intention to pursue legal action against the administrative authorities, while Seoul City has also stated it will file charges for violations of the River Act. Although the marathon has been postponed, disputes regarding entry fee refunds, rescheduling, and administrative violations are expected to continue for the time being.

Hangang Ultramarathon Halted on the Eve of the Event... Participants Frustrated Over Refunds

The greatest victims of this dispute have been the runners who had been eagerly anticipating the event. Many participants have expressed that the organizing committee's explanation is insufficient. The central issue is whether approval to use Janghan 1 Riverside Park, the starting point, is separate from approval to use the Hangang Park course. Some participants have raised concerns, arguing that the organizers should have confirmed in advance whether a permit from Dongdaemun District Office alone would suffice for the entire Hangang Park course.

After one participant requested a refund, the organizing committee stated that refunds were not possible because the cancellation application period had passed, and at the end of their response, they added a phrase implying "Please watch your words," which sparked widespread criticism on social media.

Meanwhile, controversy has also arisen over the organizing committee's response to refund requests. Online communities and the event bulletin board have been flooded with posts questioning refund eligibility and calling for legal action. After one participant requested a refund, the organizing committee responded that refunds were not possible as the cancellation period had passed, and at the end of their response, added a phrase meaning "Please watch your words," which led to widespread criticism.

There were also mixed reactions online regarding the holding of the event. Some users argued, "The biggest victims are the participants who prepared for the event," and "What about those who have already spent money on accommodation and transportation?" calling on both the organizing committee and the administrative authorities to take responsible action. On the other hand, some said, "If an event with 1,500 runners was being held without approval, it is right to halt it for safety reasons," and "It would be unreasonable to proceed with the event given the overlap with the drone show crowd." Others also pointed out, "The refund notice should be clarified first," and "Compensation for participant losses should come before legal disputes."

Controversy Over Poor Marathon Event Management Amid Growing Running Population

This incident is also connected to the recent surge in controversies surrounding marathon event management, which has increased alongside the rising population of runners. Last year in Busan, one marathon event faced a flood of refund requests from participants due to poor management, including issues with water supply, course guidance, and traffic control. Dozens of complaints were posted on the event website at the time, with participants pointing out that basic safety and convenience measures were insufficient.

This incident is also related to the recent surge in controversies surrounding the operation of marathon events, which has increased rapidly alongside the growing number of runners. Photo by Jo Yongjun

This year as well, several marathons in local regions have faced criticism for course bottlenecks, lack of advance notice, and problems with the deployment of safety personnel. Recently, a court ruling recognized the liability for damages of event organizers and operating agencies in an accident involving a collision between a marathon participant and a pedestrian, fueling calls for stricter safety management obligations at large-scale amateur sports events.

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