Marathon Route Lined With Sights of Seoul

Seoul’s most famous sites, including Cheonggye Stream, the Seoul Forest, and the Han River, were the backdrop for the 2007 HiSeoul Marathon, hosted by Seoul and Dong-A Ilbo yesterday.

The course ran from Seoul Plaza through Cheonggye Stream and the Seoul Forest to Han River Yeouido Park.

Although it was a bit hot, with temperatures around 19.3 degrees Celsius at 8:00 a.m. and 23 degree Celsius at 10:00 a.m., participants were very much immersed in the race, enjoying the surrounding views.

Lee Beom-il (34), the male full-course race winner with a record of 2h 40m 45s, said, “The race course was wonderful. It was hot during the latter part of the race, but I had a great time.” Lee, who has completed a total of 25 full course races, has a personal best record of 2h 33m 4s.

Kim Young-a (33), the female full-course race winner with a record of 3h 3m 43s, said, “I was motivated by the beautiful view and by the concerts along the course. I want to send this honor to my mother who is on her sickbed.” Kim is a star among international female marathoners. She has won first place a total of 10 times out of 15 full course races. She also achieved her dream record of a sub three-hour time five times, and her best record is 2h 55m 4s.

In the 23.63-kilometer race, Kim Gwang-ho (1h 20m 51s) and Lee Jeong-sook (1h 35m 19s) came in first. In the 10-kilometer race, Kim Geun-nam (34m 18s) and Park Seong-soon (37m 30s) will participate in the PIC Guam International Marathon Race on November 11.

Around 10,000 participants enjoyed the sights of Seoul from within the race, including Lee In-tae (44) and Yoon Yeo-kyeong (39), who ran the 10-kilometer racecourse together with their daughter Eui-ji (13) and their son Hyun-jae (11). Foreign women, including Manda Hezman (Australian), Lauren Walters (American), and Hannah Vakey (Canadian), also ran the 23.63-kilometer course.

yjongk@donga.com