"Running is the Trend"... Popularity of ‘Yongsan Running Crew’ Running in Yongsan Park and Han River

Yongsan-gu Opens Running Classes for Residents and Others

#At 7 p.m. on the 12th, about 30 people in their 20s to 50s dressed in light workout clothes gathered at Noksapyeong Plaza in Yongsan-gu. They stretched together under the guidance of a running coach and enjoyed running while taking in the autumn city nightscape.

The first course was an easy, straight Han River route suitable for running. When participants struggled midway, they encouraged each other by shouting, “Yongsan Running Crew, fighting!” The first day of the running class ended with no dropouts as the last participant reached the final destination at Hangang Bridge.

Yongsan-gu, Seoul (Mayor Park Hee-young) has opened a running class for office workers and university students, receiving great response. On the 12th, about 30 participants gathered at Noksapyeong Station Plaza for an event marking the launch of the ‘Yongsan Running Crew.’

‘Yongsan Running Crew’ is a popular running fitness program these days. Anyone who is a resident of the district or works or studies in Yongsan can participate. It is a running class that runs through the city with an instructor every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m., and interest is high enough that pre-registration fills up early and additional inquiries continue.

Before running, the instructor helps participants relax with simple warm-up exercises and teaches proper running posture. Participants are divided into groups based on individual pace, running together with others of similar skill and speed. The coach runs at the front as a benchmark, and 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, which rotate weekly, include: ▲Han River course (starting from the north end of Banpo Bridge ~ turning point at Hangang Bridge ~ returning 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).

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

On that day, Park Hee-young, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, who ran with the participants from Noksapyeong Station Plaza to Hangang 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’ running together toward their goals.”