Young Marathoners Race toward their Dreams

On April 22, young marathoners will run the 42.195km full course from Gongju Stadium, through Baekje Road, and back to the stadium at the Sixth National Section Marathon co-hosted by Dong-A Ilbo, South Chungcheong Province, Gongju City, and the Korea Athletic Federation.

The course will be divided into six sections for those too young to run the full course. Runners from 24 schools (13 boys schools and 11 girls schools) will participate to become the “Second Lee Bong-joo.”

Chungbuk Athletics High, which won the Kolon Section Marathon with a record (2:09:35) in March, is eyeing the championship title. The school had seven consecutive wins at the Gyeongbu Station Marathon. Recently outraced by Baemoon High with the “Second Hwang Yeong-jo,” Jeon Eun-hoe, it recovered its reputation by putting an end to Baemoon High’s five straight wins last year. As Jeon graduated and entered Konkuk University this year, Chungbuk, led by seniors Kim Sang-hoon (10,000m time of 30:04), Baek Su-in (10,000m time of 30.08 minutes) and Park Chan-gyu (10,000m time of 30:04), is likely to win the championship.

Incheon Daein High is also a strong candidate for the title. If Moon Bo-seong (senior) and Kim Jae-min (junior) with 5,000m records under 14 minutes are in good condition, experts say, Daein will be competitive enough for the title.

Women marathoners ran the half course divided into four sections up until last year, but they will also have the same full course divided into six sections this year. New marathon power Incheon Jakjeon Girls’ High is expected to sweep the race.

yjongk@donga.com