Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Apr 27, 2024

Dong-A Seoul International Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Dong-A Seoul International Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.3

Organization 4.4

Spectators 3.8

Number of comments: 37 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

C. C. from washington d.c. (9/29/2008) "awesome" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Dong-A Seoul International Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and it was awesome.
Go Wazzu! from Macau (3/25/2008) "A Hidden Gem of a Great Marathon!" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Dong-A Seoul International Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Wow! I found this marathon here on MarathonGuide and sounded like a great excuse to visit Seoul. All of the comments below are spot on, but I was still caught by surprise about how great of a marathon this was. In brief: Weather - Perfect running weather; started in a singlet, gloves, and a trash bag, but once we started moving, it was a perfect temp. Rego/Organization/Packet Pick-Up (for a foreigner) - Immaculate; best I have seen. Course - Very scenic/historic (running around the gates and along the river but also seeing a lot of the town and of course the stadium finish is great. BIGGEST SURPRISE OF THE DAY: The course was virtually flat. I feel the elevation chart is very exaggerated, as the only memorable incline at all was an underpass. TERRIFIC COURSE! On-Course Support - Better than NYC and LA. The best I have ever seen! Every water stop had at least 10 tables, some as many as 15, and there was never a shortage or problem getting to water (not to mention at mile 20 they had corporate sponsored Soju, woohoo!). Price/Medal/Shirt - Great, great, great. From the 3 pace bunnies per 10-minute slot, with huge 2.5-foot balloons tied to them to the pre-start group stretches, this race was a delight and very well organized and supported. Also a very staggered start helped eliminate roadblocks in some of the beginning city streets - bravo! There was more people cheering on the course than at Hong Kong or Macau Marathons (but nothing like NYC), but those that were out were quite vocal and great. Only wish for something different - Being an ignorant foreigner, I didn't think about the fact that all the portable toilets at start line and on course are eastern-style (squatters), but don't let this deter you from a great marathon. Highly recommended!
Ron Branam from Chattanooga, Tennessee (3/18/2008) "Very well organized" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Very well organized. 30,000 runners started in 6 waves. All runners started within 20 minutes of the official start time. Lots of spectators. The event is called "international," but I saw very few non-Koreans. All announcements were in Korean, but that wasn't a problem. Well stocked water stops every 5 KM, with water-soaked sponges halfway between the 5KM marks toward the end of the race. Medical support workers on inline skates were common along the race. They provided a squirt of muscle cream that smelled like Ben Gay, but it seemed to help. I highly recommend this race.
S. H. from Minneapolis, MN USA (2/12/2008) "Fantastic!" (about: 2007) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Dong-A Seoul International Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a great event. The packet pickup was smooth. The event start was efficient and well organized. Running through the streets of Seoul along parts of the 1988 Olympic Marathon course was humbling. And for Lee Bong-Ju to win and be a part of the race in which he was the winner was the icing on the cake. The course support was great. There were numerous water stops. The spectators were loud and enthusiastic. Then to finish on the track at Olympic Stadium was incredible. My hat's off to the organizers, volunteers, spectators and fellow runners.
J. W. from San Diego,Ca USA (4/1/2007) "Spirited, with perfect, crisp weather" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Dong-A Seoul International Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Very efficient start with runners separated according to previous marathon finish times. This allowed the large field to begin running early in the course. The Korean drummers and groups in traditional clothing were inspiring, and the Korean cheerleaders in cowgirl boots were more appealing than the co-eds at Wellesley on the Boston course. Finishing the course in Olympic Stadium was a highlight. The aid stations were frequent and well-stocked. The chocolate biscuits on the second half of the course helped me get negative splits.
s. f. from seoul, korea (3/18/2007) "Excellent, flat, and fun drumming" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Dong-A Seoul International Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Loved it! Flat and fast, with great Korean drumming that gets your heart pounding and your feet skipping. Reasonably priced, with all the amenities (except bathrooms) - really fun and the shirt's cute too.... Sorry, still a girl!
M. C. from Canada (3/14/2006) "Well Organized Race" (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Dong-A Seoul International Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My 5th marathon and I enjoyed it very much despite the -5C temps and 18 mph wind. Great morning race set-up and the race was organized into start level categories, so it flows quite well. Very scenic route along the new canal and over the Han River. Running into the stadium was great as well. Could have been more end-race events but with the cold weather maybe would not have stayed that long anyways. Would definitely recommend this race as an "event" rather than just a race.
Allen Thomas from Misawa, Japan (3/13/2006) "Flat, cold & windy" (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Dong-A Seoul International Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Despite the wind and freezing temperatures, this race attracted 25,000 brave runners. Did I mention it was really cold? Some of the water-soaked sponges froze to the table. The good thing about the wind is that smog was not a problem. The course was fairly flat and well marked. There was excellent support along the way. Many folks in costumes and lots of drummers. The big finish ended at the Olympic stadium where you got to see yourself on the stadium's big screen as you crossed the finish line. With the wind and cold weather you expect in Seoul this time of year, this might not be the best run to set a personal best, but it is a good warm-up for races in the warmer months and a good reason to keep fit during the cold months. The finisher medal was superb. This race is worth consideration.
R. R. from Suwon, Korea (3/26/2005) "Great course and cool temps" (about: 2005) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Dong-A Seoul International Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I'd recommend running this race to anyone anyone in this part of the world who doesn't mind a cold weather marathon. This year the race started at 8:00 and the air was below freezing for the entire race. But for many of us, this is ideal after the first few miles. The course seemed pretty level to me and the runners were plentiful. The streets of Seoul provide a number of wonderful sights--just don't look up for too long, the field never thins out all that much. Crossing the Han River and finishing in the Olympic Stadium were my personal highlights. Everything was well organized and the freebies were great. Just make sure you bring some warm, dry clothes to change into at the finish. I froze my gizzards off waiting for my friends to finish.
Stephen Gilbert from Gunsan City, South Korea (3/26/2005) "A Wonderful First Marathon Experience!" (about: 2005) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Dong-A Seoul International Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 For anyone who has never run a marathon, you will not soon forget the experience of the Seoul Dong-A. The Korean people are what made this marathon a spectacular and memorable event for me. I've never seen more enthusiastic runners and spectators than I did here. Even when I had to stop and walk for 15K due to knee problems, I was cheered on every step of the way by supportive Koreans who made me feel very special. The course itself was relatively flat and fast. If I had one suggestion to make, it would be to place more port-Os along the last 10K of the race. Enough said about that! The icing on the cake was finishing in the Olympic Stadium, running the track once to the finish line, passing by the torch, and the incredible feeling of running in the footsteps of Olympic athletes. Would I run this marathon again? You bet I would! I've been bit by the bug.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

Become an Advertiser

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Become an Advertiser

© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC

Privacy Policy Refund Policy Terms of Use