Dong-A Seoul International Marathon - Race Reviews

The Dong-a Seoul Marathon is attempting to resurrect itself post-pandemic, following several years of virtual installments. Bizarrely, they capped the number of full-course runners at 3,000 and instituted a diabolically confusing lottery system. The website is Kafka-esque (see https://en.seoul-marathon.com/register/?idx=2). After making it onto the waiting list, I received an email intstructing me to pick up my race pack at the marathon expo, the day before the event. After several months of steady training, I called to ask about the location of the expo, and they told me that the email they'd sent was a 'mistake'. I wasn't able to participate after all! Very frustrating, to say the least. I ran this marathon in 2019 and 2017. Those years, the big problem was a huge lack of bathroom facilities. Before the start, there were literally hundreds of men urinating in odd corners of the starting plaza. The baggage storage trucks stopped accepting bags about 30 to 45 minutes before the start time and drove off, leaving some people inconvenienced. As for the course, it's alright if you like concrete and bland architecture. Also, be prepared for very toxic levels of fine dust in the air (unless you get a lucky break with the weather systems). The course is very flat, though, which can be a boon.

I was very excited for this marathon because I wanted to complete a bucketlist. I got my orange Adidas shirt and my number and a plastic bag for my belongings like a week before the marathon. As an amateur runner I knew I wasn't going to make it before the 5 hour mark but I also didn't expect everyone cleaning up the water tables while there was still many people running, also as part of the last group of runners it was difficult to get to the finish because there was no signs on the road or anyone to guide us, we were kinda forgotten and on our own, when I managed to get my tired sore body across the finish line I was just ignored and left there, I was in a lot of pain and nobody rushed to help me, I know I was an hour late but I expected somebody give me a hand at least but as a foreigner maybe I felt that Korean people are too shy to approach me. also I want to include that since there was a 5 hour limit the road had to be open for cars and that meant I had to stop at every red light hence making me more late,so it was very inconvenient for those of us who wanted to finish but stopping at every red light made everything more complicated, there was also pedestrians who must've been bothered by runners yelling to make them move out of the way. The medal came in a food bag, which I thought was a bit strange...I also wish there would've been more water tables towards the end of the race, there was also not many cups and at one point I was just given the 2L bottle because there were no more cups so there was a lot of wasted water. Finishing this race was difficult because of the obstacles at the end, if you want to run this race I suggest you don't do like me, train hard and get fast and endurance, or quit once the road has opened for cars because after that it doesn't feel like marathon running anymore. There is a marathon bus picking up the runners who are tired and cant continue, which I thought was convenient for those who needed to stop running, there was also men peeing everywhere at the beginning, I would suggest going to the bathroom before running, there was first aid people but I wish they would've been some towards the end because that's when us slow runners had more pain to finish, I completed this marathon in 6 hours and 1 minute. I'm 25 years old female, I hope my comment is helpful!

Just ran the 2017 edition of this race this morning. My review may be a little biased because I ran a PB and came away feeling pretty good about the whole experience. The biggest issue with this marathon is the registration. It's terrible if you don't read Korean. Google translate helped me figure it out but I was still confused. I wasn't even sure if I was registered or not. But if you email them, they will reply. If you want to get a starting place, then you need to email the organizers a past race result. This information is available in Korean but not in English. I was given an A start on the basis of a 2:53 time. The organization at the start of the race is pretty good. You just need to make sure to get your bag in the right truck before the designated time. They started people in waves with about five minutes between each group. There were no issues to do with congestion once the gun went off. As others have mentioned, the water stations are at every 5K. I think near the end of the race I may have been a bit dehydrated. At least more than normal for a marathon. Just make sure to drink plenty at each station. There are a few little rollers on the course but as others have said, this is a fast one. There was not any wind to speak of either. The sun was strong which I didn't really expect but the temperatures remained cool. It's definitely the fastest course I've ever run. If you don't care about the frills (expo, fan support, photos etc), then this is a good race to get a PB. I think even if you are not concerned with time it would be worth doing it and travelling for it.

The Good - Flat, fast course with a -usually- cold weather, perfect for a PR - Very well stocked with water and isotonic drinks, endless tables that never run out. - Good handling of drop bags. The Bad - Water stations every 5km instead of 2.5km. - Very little information in English on the website and on the brochure. For such an old marathon event (one of the three oldest in Asia) foreigners have to dig out much info from expat runners or searches in Google/Facebook etc. - Unenthusiastic crowds. Although the weather this year was quite good (too warm even) there were cheering crowds only just before the entrance to the stadium (last 1-2 km). Small groups of mostly foreigners coming to cheer their friends were scattered in a few spots around the city but it felt like we were racing on the motorway.

Just did the race and achieved my PB, superb weather for marathon (2-13C), and the course is super flat super flat. The start was a bit confusing, with the MC keep shouting words in Korean and the runners responding loudly, as a foreigner I understood nothing of it. At 8am start time the crowd moved just a little bit forward but then stopped for 15 minutes. I thought the start was delayed but then I watched the TV screen in nearby office block the lead runners are already running, then I realize the rest of the pack has a 15 minutes delayed start, I actually crossed the start at 8:17. The MC has probably announced the delayed start but as this is proclaimed to be an 'International' marathon, some important announcement should also be made in English as well. Zero spectator and sometimes they were allowed to cross the streets and I bumped into a few along the way. But by and large this is a great race, water every 5km was fine, and the stadium finish was wonderful.

This is a serious marathon with the vast majority of entrants being there for the race - not the bands, goodie bag, not to raise funds, wear fancy dress etc. There are pacemakers for 2hrs 50mins, and other times up to around 4hrs. Water/Pocari every 5km. Generally cool weather though a bit sunny in 2016. Flat and quick course, not well-supported but plenty of runners around even for the quicker guys. Expo is almost non-existent, but entry is cheap and you get to join a proper running race. If you want a fun run there are probably better options; if you want a shot at a PB this ranks with Tokyo and Berlin.

Perfect day, flat course and great personal run, BUT: - Not enough water (every 5 km). Toward the race end, the only liquids were offered by spectators. I was dehydrated at the finish. - Hardly any spectators. Streets absolutely dead for much of the race. - Hardly any toilets along the way. - Too many people stopping mid-race to spray Ben-Gay on their legs. The stopped people & Ben-Gay gas clouds were both hazards. - The race was inexpensive . . . that was a big plus, but on the other hand, the goodie bag was lame. - No apparent place to buy pictures online, or that's another part of the website which is only available in Korean. Seoul is awesome, and this is supposed to be an international race. I expected a little better.

Running the 2014 Seoul International Marathon was my 13th full marathon. I really enjoyed running it with a few American friends (Alex, Daniel, Russ and Paul) and one Korean buddy (Sinbak). It was two of my good friend's first full marathon event and they enjoyed it as well. The signup process was easy and very inexpensive compared to other events that I have participated in. The t-shirt would be better if it was a commemorative type shirt with print on it for the event but the medal was very nice. There were adequate water stops, Pocari sweat and some of the usual snacks to get along the way. All of the International runners were all very friendly and supportive of one another as we ran the course. Finishing at the Jamsil Olympic Stadium was really cool and a great photo opportunity finish. The route wasn't overly exciting but does expose one to the inner city of Seoul and a few historical sites can be viewed. If you want to see Seoul or other parts of Korea, you need to visit early and/or stay after the race so that you can see some of the awesome sites/history or do some miscellaneous activities. To name a few: countless Buddhist temples across the peninsula (like the Beomeosa Temple, Bongeunsa Temple, Donghwasa Temple, or the Naksan Temple); the DMZ; Haeundae Beach; running along the Han River; the Inchon Landing; Korea War Museum; hiking in the Seoraksan Mountains; the Seoul Tower; snow skiing; shopping in Myeongdong or eating various international foods in Itaewon. The one big dislike would be that the majority of local runners would simply stop in the middle of the running path to walk, stretch, eat a banana and throw it on the pathway, or simply stand there to hydrate vice getting out of everyones way like most runners do in other marathons (I.e. go to the left or right in order to not impede others runners stride and pace). Overall, this was a great running event and if you are in Korea, run this marathon. Thanks to Dong-A Seoul International Marathon committee and all of their volunteers. Reconnaissance Rangers lead the way!!!

If you're from abroad and are looking for a marathon to run in Asia I would not recommend Seoul. If you happen to be in the area in mid-March then it's worth doing, but definitely don't plan a trip just for this race. -There is no expo. To pick-up your packet you go to the Dong-A office building (the sponsor), take the elevator to the third floor, and one of the employees gets your packet for you from the closet. How am I supposed to get pumped-up and excited about the race with no expo?!?! -The course seemed lazy to me. By that I mean there are 2 out and backs on the same road (which means they don't have to close down as many streets.) It might be OK if the roads were scenic, but they weren't. -The course overall was a disappointment. The start (at Gwanghamun) and finish (at the Olympic Stadium) were great, but everything in between was really boring. There are so many great sights to see and run past in Seoul...the course doesn't do justice to the city and its sights. -Water stops every 5K were tough. I'm used to drinking every 1.5 miles, so by the time we reached 30K and 35K I was dying and the water every 5K was a killer. Also, water tables should be set-up on both sides of the street. With 20K runners it was a cluster at every water station with everyone clogging to one side of the street. -the vast majority of race materials are in Korean. I realize that I'm the minority when I run this race, but my comment here is mainly to point out that if the Seoul Marathon wants to become a world-renowned, destination marthon, they must have materials printed in English. -the website is terrible. There is very little information available in English. It's so bad that I couldn't even find my results after the race. Fortunately I have a co-worker who reads Korean and he was able to find my results for me using the Korean portal of the marathon website. In summary, Seoul is a great city to visit and this race has a ton of potential. It really is a shame that the marathon is not as good as it easily could be. For now, I'd recommend skipping out on this one unless the race organizers get serious about making this a world-class race.

Races in Korea are brilliant because of the camaraderie with other runners and the overall spectacle of the the event. Because this one was so big, it didn't feel like a unique Korean marathon. The course wasn't interesting and the finish in the Olympic Stadium was not very good for spectators. Also, March and April in Korea can feel like the middle of winter on certain days and this year was no exception. Race officials seemed highly unprepared for the weather. After coming across the finish, one had to walk 5-10 minutes through the stadium and crowds before you could get to your warm, dry clothes. There were no emergency blankets at the finish, sending already cold runners closer to hypothermia. From what I could tell there was none of the usual free food for runners nor much fraternizing among clubs and runners after the race. Small-town marathons in Korea have this one easily beat. It is good for a big marathon experience. There were enough water/energy drink stops, good fan support and traditional Korean music played on the side of the road. It was fine for people living in Korea, but I wouldn't recommend traveling from overseas to do it. Try a smaller-town marathon in Korea

I don't like traveling - in other words, I seldom race away from home, but decided to make my way to Seoul after hearing all the positive comments about it. I agree with many of the comments from fellow runners under this column e.g., good organization, flat course, good discipline and lack of English translations, etc. My personal comments: Positive: 1. Good timing - ideal weather, cool, dry (but not this year though). The 8 a.m. start also reasonable. 2. Time zone well set and respected. 3. Convenient pick up of numbers and stuff. 4. Easy pick up of souvenirs at end. I particularly like finisher's medals only awarded after completion. 5. Good city-marathon atmosphere, running inside the urban areas and stadium finish. Not so positive: 1. Course, though overall flat, was but bumpy at many places. Also tight corners, bends and narrowed paths at some locations. I didn't feel relaxed for the majority of the race; I had to decelerate, and swerve to avoid bumping into others (may be myself to blame because I started right back - zone D - because I forgot to declare my record when register). I also carried a hamstring injury on the day so the uneven surface didn't help. 2. Too long delay at the start; I didn't pass the start line until 8:20. There were also a few false starts as a result of not understanding Korean, which the MC delivered the message in. Not ideal, especially under the damp and cold condition. 3. Not much crowd support. Disappointing for a very city course. I probably wouldn't bother again unless I happen to be there or thereabouts at the time. I may be biased because I didn't have a good run; in fact, I achieved my PW (personal worst) of 3:48, mainly due to the hamstring. I wonder if I can see myself in a photo like in many other big marathons.

Overall, a fast, flat race with decent, but generally subdued spectators, and a great finish in the Olympic Stadium. There were 23,000 runners, primarily Korean (no surprise there), with good camaraderie among the runners. Pre-race was pretty good. The website is in English, and Google does a fair bit of translating the Korean page. Package pickup was relatively painless, and the directions to the pickup for foreigners were accurate and easy to follow. I was put into the wrong time group, and had some trouble finding someone on race morning to ask about moving up into the right time group (they had me in 5:00 rather than 4:00), but had no problems just moving up myself. The start was a bit long, and in freezing temperatures - the official race start was 8:00, but with speeches and introductions, the running didn't actually start until almost 8:20. On a warmer day, it wouldn't be a problem, but this was COLD. Once the race started, none of that mattered, though. The pace groups were clear and many - 4 pacers each for the 3:50, 4:00, 4:10, and 4:20 pace, so you could get aligned with different packs. The course was well laid out, with the first half in a tourist-y section of the city, running out and back along a man-made canal, so you could see the rest of the race, but the turnarounds got a bit crowded. The second half was more point-to-point, with long straight stretches as the running packs opened up a bit. The course was flatter than the elevation guide suggests, with no major hills, even on the bridge. The KM markers were clear and visible (and accurate) and the water/Pocari stations were right where expected (every 5K), full of drinks (with lots of visible supply) and many tables, so crowding wasn't too bad. Bananas and Mallowmars at both 20K and 30K were well received, though marshmallow cookies may not be the best for a dry mouth (chocolate - good!, marshmallow/cookie - not so much). The spectators were generally good, although a bit more subdued than Western runners might expect. Where there were crowds of spectators, they were enthusiastic, but in most stretches, there weren't a lot of them. The end of the race was a lap through the Olympic Stadium, which you could see from the bridge at KM35, and made for a good last-mile objective. Post-finish line was well organized and easy to follow, with clear stations to follow for chip return, refreshment bag, etc. I finished in 4:12.45, a PR for me, so I was pretty happy with the race anyway, but overall, I thought this a good race to do if you're already in Asia, but not one that I would travel to from the US.

Organization was fantastic! Having crowds lining the entire course was electrifying. Weather was a little too cold but not a major concern. Bib collection was a breeze in spite of the non-existence of marathon expo. Finisher medal was beautifully carved. Overall, nice and excellent marathon.

I ran a PB ("PR" in American-ese) of 3:09 in this year's Seoul Marathon, so obviously I have positive things to say. The course is flat, and fast, and the organization was generally pretty good. But it would have been helpful if there were more drink stations: here in Australia the intermediate points between the 5, 10, 15K, etc. (at which there is sports drink as well as water) have supplies of water, which can be very helpful, especially if you're taking a GU. The race itself was hassle-free. It was a pity that there weren't more spectators in the stadium at the end of the race; there were many more people in the MCG at the end of the Melbourne Marathon, for instance. Overall, I'd recommend this event.

Pros: I've run in a few marathon, ranging from several hundred runners to 20,000+ runners and I've learn to generally avoid "mega marathons." I mean, who needs the hassle of dealing with the traffic and crowds at the bib pickup, then the crowded starting line with the weaving around through the slow herd stampede that doesn't thin out until you pass the 10 mile-mark, then the un-enthused spectators standing around for their friend and/or family participant to run by? Bib pick up was very foreigner friendly at the 7th floor of the Dong-A Ilbo building. Email and telephone questions were answered promptly. Based on my previous time of 3:12, I was put in the A corral; that gave me an easier start, much like what you find at the smaller marathon where responsible runners run according to their ability. The weather was a little windy, but otherwise perfect. Slightly cold at the start (low 40F-ish) but warming (to the high 50s) by the end. The crowds were so energetic and encouraging - I think I must have high-fived at least 100 people. Drink stations are at every 5K split (and lie between the places where you get your splits). I thought that might be too far apart, so I brought my Ultimate Direction water bottle. But I probably didn't need it. Unlike the states where the water stations are more frequent (about every two miles) but shorter, the Dong-A was less frequent but stretched on and on. It was easy to get as much in the way of fluids as you needed mid-run. Overall the course is a very slight downhill, but for the most part, it was flat, with a few short, minor uphills. It is a very fast course, comparable to CIM. Scenery-wise it runs through some of the significant areas: the start is at the Blue House (Korea's White House) and Admiral Yi Shun Shin Statue goes down to the South Gate, down and back newly restored Cheonggyecheon Stream to the East Gate across the Han River than to the Olympic stadium where you run down the entrance around for a lap (part of is on the jumbo-tron) and then to the finish line. Cons: 1) It was hard to distinguish between the water and electrolyte drink (Pocari Sweat). Also, it was too sweet. 2) No gels, Choco-pies are nice, but not really during a marathon. Eating a thin chocolate cake with marshmallowy center make your mouth dry. 3) The English website only has the bare minimum of information . It would be great to offer a full translated English version of the Korean original.

I am already planning to run this marathon again in 2010. Great course - mostly flat, and starting in waves (separated by 3-5 minutes each) helped thin things out early. Water points were plentiful, registration and bag drop were flawless, and finishing on the Olympic Stadium track is a memory of a lifetime. This is the best organized marathon/triathlon I've raced - awesome. What a great way to start the racing year - with the Seoul International Marathon. See you next year for sure.

Just returned from Seoul. Ran it for my first time. Its a fast, flat run and I very much enjoyed it. They put you in starting groups based on your previous best time. I ran with a friend and this was her first full, so we basically started at the back of the pack. There is water and sport drinks every 5K and the tables are a little crowded. The sport drink is Ion or something like that; my tummy didn't seem to mind it. The course is pretty good, and the fans are excellent. They seemed to really cheer for non Korean's. There weren't too many of us. There were 30,000+ people in the race, so it was a little crowded. The Olympic Stadium finish was amazing; I will remember it forever. Good shirt, and good medal too. I would suggest that if you are considering going, it's worth the travel.

I am in Seoul on a one-year English teaching contract. When I planned to come to South Korea, I thought I might be able to run this race, despite not training for it. I am so glad I did it. It was an incredible day and a magnificent journey for any foreigner to come embrace the hospitality of the Korean people. The logistics of the race are top-notch, from beginning to end. All runners started within 20 minutes of the elites and, thanks to a huge road with plenty of space for waiting, you don't feel crammed in to the holding paddocks. Water stations and food stations were well done. The bananas were peeled for you already. They also have chocolate creme pies, which, although not a normal race food for me, were a nice treat. Although they did not have anything but water until near mile 18 where they had sports drink, I did not feel like I needed it. Only thing that would have made it perfect was to have had gel at the food stations too. The finish in Seoul Olympic Stadium will bring tears to any hardcore runner's eyes. Remember Carl Lewis in 1988? You are displayed on the big screen when you run in the stadium. It was quite a bucket list moment for me. The finisher's medal is OK; nothing special.

The course was nearly flat, and although it was crowded at first, it thinned out after about 5-7 KM. Even without being able to read or speak a word of Korean, the number pickup and bag drop were by far the easiest I've seen. The drink stations were huge, maybe 10-12 tables long, so there was no crowding there and getting two or three cups of water from each one was no problem. There were long portions with little or no crowd support, but the finish in the Olympic Stadium was AWESOME, and more than made up for the emptier spots. Run this race if you get the chance.

The Seoul Marathon is a great marathon, but there are a few things that they can improve on. 1. Water stations; there were not enough water stations on the course and the volunteers couldn't get enough water poured out fast enough for the athletes. 2. No sports drinks until mile 18 or so. 3. No gels were given out during the race. 4. Needs a better website for registering. I couldn't make a payment online, so I sent in money and an entry form. I went to the building where they had the race pick-up, and they had my envelope, but hadn't opened it. I would say that this is a wonderful marathon except for those points.

This was my first marathon and it was awesome.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

I would recommend this marathon to anyone who has the opportunity to run the Seoul Marathon. The scenery through Seoul was beautiful and very unique. This was the coldest marathon I've run so I learned a few lessons on how to dress for cold weather marathons. I ran the entire distance. The fans were great and the stadium finish was awesome.

Best part I loved was getting my results via cellphone just an hour after crossing the finish line. Korea's takes the cake in that dept. Plus the accommodations and hospitality rival that of any big-scale race out there. Plus I loved the kids - so much fun, and real family atmosphere. Go for it...

Highly enjoyable point-to-point course through downtown Seoul. Route mostly flat w/ enough slight hills to keep the legs from being in a rut. Very well organized and easy to navigate. Aid stations well-manned and stocked. Surpised by comparatively small crowd for such a large city, but those present were very supportive.

Just wanted to take a second to seriously recommend this race to all. The course is very pleasing but may not have 'sight seeing' qualities of some international races. However, was still a beautiful race, extremely well organized (with excellent nourishment stations), and had a very enthusiastic crowed. The course is flat and would make a great race for a first timer. The pre-race organization for foreigners were amazing. There was a free dinner and a race day orientation. There is also a place to put your warm-up gear to so that they can be taken to the finish line. All in all this is a great race that I would recommend to anybody.

This marathon was my first marathon. I was stationed in Korea, and decided that seeing Seoul would be best on foot! I loved every minute of the run... ran a 4:28. Definitely some hills on this course, but it is a great run for a first-timer. The Koreans were open and friendly with all runners! The first 5K was definitely crowded, but it thinned out within the first 10K. Lots of support from runners and spectators! Would do it again if given the chance.

I ran this race in 99 and was really impressed. Easy to get to on the subway, so no hassles, and good support from the workers and race fans. The people working the race were people who really cared about doing a good job, and it reminded me of what races were like in the US 20 years ago, before they became big 'productions.' Of the four marathons I've run (Big Sur, Houston, Deux Rives (Quebec City), and Seoul this one was the most enjoyable.

Seoul and all of Korea is a wonderful place. I had heard stories about Koreans being offish to Americans, especially American guys, but I found that this was definitely not the case. Koreans love marathons and the course was lined with many thousands of people cheering for the runners. The course is not super fast, a few hills here and there, but I highly recommend this race if you are a marathoner who has never been to Korea. There is a strong cosmic energy in Korea. My next marathon will be in Korea, in Chunchon on 20 October. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions about the Seoul Marathon. Jason