Hi Seoul Marathon Is a Hit
The third Hi Seoul Cheonggye Stream-Han River Marathon was held on October 2 to celebrate the restoration of the river.
As many as 10,000 marathon lovers of all ages and sexes had a chance to enjoy the stream, which was revived as the citys life-giving stream, by running 10km or a full marathon course with people they love.
We love the new look of the Cheonggye Stream-
In particular, marathoners who ran the 10km course along the restored river, said unanimously that the river is so beautiful, after finishing the course. They said that they enjoyed running and everything about the stream, adding that winning was not important.
Seo Chang-ok (43, office worker) ran the 10km course with his son, Min-su (9). His wife, Han Eun-ju (36) cheered for them at the streams edge with her second son, Min-jae (5). Seo said, The newly born river is so fabulous. Its even more exciting to run with my son.
Choi Dong-sin (46, Bangi-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul) and Son Young-sun (39), a married couple, ran the 10km side by side, envied by others. They were joined by many young couples who were holding their loved ones hands tightly during the race.
Phil Dong-man (40, Jakjeon-dong, Gyeyang-gu, Incheon), who finished as the first with 33 minutes 25 seconds in the male 10 km marathon, said, It is a great honor to win the first marathon since the river was restored. I could enjoy running because of the beautiful scenery and strong support from people. Park Han-su (65, Sangsu-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul) said, The air quality in this area has greatly improved. With all highways and roads gone, the environment is much cleaner and more pleasant.
The event was attended by many foreign runners as well. The winner of the male full marathon course, which stretched from Seoul Plaza to Cheonggye Stream, Jungnang Stream, Jamsu Bridge, Gayang Bridge, and Yeouido Hangang Park, was the French marathoner Jang Mark Anriette (42). He finished the course with a time of 2 hours 46 minutes 51 seconds. American runner Becky Patton (31, English instructor at Gyeongwon University) finished first in the 10km female event with a time of 40 minutes 16 seconds.
Jeong Ji-young (47) won first place in the female full course event with a time of 3 hours 21 minutes 53 seconds.
Jong-Koo Yang Jae-Yun Jung yjongk@donga.com jaeyuna@donga.com
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