▲ Participants in the 2025 Chuncheon Yonhap Marathon run along the Bukhan River. (Yonhap)
▲ A file photo of the 2025 Chuncheon Yonhap Marathon (Yonhap)

CHUNCHEON, South Korea, July 16 (Yonhap) -- The 2026 Chuncheon Yonhap Marathon will take place on Oct. 3, the National Foundation Day, at the Elysian Gangchon resort and along the nearby Bukhan River in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, organizers said Thursday.

The annual marathon debuted last year in Chuncheon, 85 kilometers east of Seoul, co-hosted by South Korea's key newswire Yonhap News Agency and the Chuncheon City Athletics Federation.

The marathon features three races: a half marathon (21 kilometers), 10 km and 5 km, with the goal of becoming a premier running festival that brings together runners from across the country.

It will be jointly organized by ICT specialist company Thepict Inc. and the Korea Scout Association, and registration will be open until midnight on Aug. 31 via its official website (www.yonma.kr).

Last year's Chuncheon Yonhap Marathon attracted about 10,000 people, including participants, their families and volunteers, to the city's Gangchon area, bringing renewed vitality to the local community.

Participants expressed high satisfaction with the scenic course along the Bukhan River, which is regarded as a key competitive advantage that distinguishes the marathon from those in other cities.

Organizers aim to revitalize the local economy and breathe new vitality into the city's old downtown area by attracting thousands of runners to visit and stay in Gangchon.

Thepict Inc. plans to implement participant-centered smart event operations using advanced ICT technologies, such as AI-powered customer service and drone monitoring, while the Korea Scout Association will oversee course safety and volunteers.

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