“Future Marathon Stars” Run in Gongju

Chungbuk Physical Education High School and Sangji Girls` High School in Wonju were crowned as Korea’s best marathon training schools.

On April 22, Chungbuk Physical Education High School won the 6th National Marathon Relay (co-sponsored by Dong-A Ilbo, the Korea Athletics Federation, Chungcheongnam-do, and Gongju City) in which the 42.195 kilometer Baekje Main Road full course in Gongju, Chungnam was divided into six sections. Their record was 2:08:46 and this was their second consecutive win in this event. Chungbuk Physical Education High School has also won the Gwacheon 10-kilometer Marathon and Kolon Marathon Relay this year for a total of three wins this season.

In the men’s event, in which 13 teams competed, Chungbuk Physical Education High School’s Kim Sang-hoon fell behind Kim Jae-min of Incheon Daein High School in the first interval (7.4km), but team ace Baek Su-in moved up to first place in the second interval (8.1 km), and the team kept the lead to beat runner-up Seoul Baemoon High School (2:12:34). Chungbuk Physical Education High School dominated the competition, coming in first in five intervals, from Baek in the second interval (23:58) to Shin Hyun-soo (18:54) in the sixth interval (5.845 km).

Daein High School came in third with a record of 2:12:45; fourth went to Kyoungbuk Physical Education High School at 2:14:16.

In the women’s event, where 11 teams competed, Sangji Girls’ High School won with a record of 2:29:35, shortening the event record (2:33:47) by over four minutes. They returned as winners since their last win in 2005.

Sangji placed their aces Jeong Jin-woo and Choi Bo-woon in the first and second intervals, putting them well ahead of the competition. Sangji also had the best record for all intervals except for the fourth. Last year’s champions, Jakjeon Girls’ High School of Incheon, came in second (2:33:07), and third place went to Oryu High School of Seoul (2:33:21). Both teams beat the event record.

Coaching awards went to Coach Park Joon-cheol of Chungbuk Physical Education High School and Director Jeong Man-hwa of Sangji Girls’ High School.

yjongk@donga.com