Chuncheon:The 2026 Chuncheon Yonhap Marathon was held on Saturday at the Elysian Gangchon resort and along the Bukhan River in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, as reported by the organizers.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the annual marathon, co-hosted by Yonhap News Agency and the Chuncheon City Athletics Federation, was inaugurated last year in Chuncheon, located 85 kilometers east of Seoul. The event includes three races a half marathon (21 kilometers), a 10 km race, and a 5 km race, aiming to become a leading running festival in South Korea.
The organizers intend to boost the local economy by attracting thousands of runners to the area, thereby revitalizing the city's old downtown. Hwang Dae-il, president and CEO of Yonhap News Agency, emphasized the marathon's potential to invigorate the region's commercial sector.
The event also incorporated advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence analysis and drones, to enhance the marathon experience for participants. These remarks were conveyed by Kim Jae-hong, executive director in charge of marketing at Yonhap News Agency, during his opening speech.