10,000 Run In an Ancient City

“ Let’s run in autumn, in the ancient city, Gyeongju”.

2002 Donga Gyeongju open marathon (by Donga marathon foundation under Donga A-Ilbo) was held at Gyeongju circle course on 27th, attended by 10,255 marathon mania.

Participants started from Gyeongju World culture Expo Plaza at 10:00 A.M following a march of navy military band in order of full course, half course, and 10km course. At the point of start, 5,000 families of participants gathered up and when marathoners were running in downtown Gyeongju, where maple leaved turned red, many citizens cheered them. 9,241 people attended this event from Youngnam region clubs like 2,219 from Ulsan, making up of 90% of the whole participants. It showed Dong A Gyeongju open marathon has settled down as ‘festival’ of Youngnam region marathon clubs.

In Men’s full course of 42.195 kms, Mr. Shin Dong-yuk (31. Changwon. Wia. Co. Ltd) who was winner last year won the marathon in 2 hours 27 minutes 42 seconds and in women’s full course, Ms Gwak Suk-hee (38. Ulsan marathon club), who was winner of half course last year, won the marathon in 3 hour 22 minutes 51 seconds.

In men’s half course, Mr. Kim Hyung-rak (41. Changwon STX) who was last year winner won in 1 hour 10 minutes 31 seconds and in women’s half course, Kim Myung-ja (39. Woolsan Marathon Club) won in 1 hour 33 minutes 16 seconds.

In 10 km course, Mr. Park Hoo-young (38. Gyeongbuk Gumi ACE marathon club) and Ms. Lee Gyeong-ja (38) from Ulsan ranked top 1 recording 34 minutes 33 seconds and 45 minutes 9 seconds respectively. C.E.O of Dong A-Ilbo, Kim Hak-jun, Gyeongbuk governor Lee Ui-geun, Chief of Gyeonbuk Police station Lee Byung-jin, Chairman of Gyeongbuk state assembly Choi Won-byung, Gyeongju mayor Baek Sang-seung, and chairman of Gyeongju city assembly Lee Jin-goo, etc encouraged players at the starting line.

boriam@donga.com