2016 Peaceful Unification Marathon gathers 10,000 participants
Createdd 2016-08-02 Hit 519
Contents
Contestants to
run course that includes Paju Imjingak Pavilion, Pyeonghoa-nuri, Inter-Korean
Transit Office, and Unification daegyo Bridge on October 9
Gyeonggi Province is accepting applications for this autumn’s 2016 Peaceful Unification Marathon scheduled until
September 9. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News
Gyeonggi Province is accepting
applications for this autumn’s 2016 Peaceful Unification
Marathon until September 9.
Hosted by Gyeonggi Province
and supervised by the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, the Peaceful Unification
Marathon will enable contestants to run through part of the DMZ, an area that is
normally off limits for civilians. In this way, the event seeks to convey the
desire for peaceful unification as well as to broadly promote a message of
freedom and peace.
This year’s event will
take place on October 9 at Paju Imjingak Pavilion Pyeonghoa-nuri and the
surrounding area. More than 10,000 marathoners are expected join the event.
Last year, 9,758 contestants from all walks of life including marathon
enthusiasts and non-Korean nationals as well as American and Korean military
personnel took part in the event.
The starting point of the
marathon is at Imjingak Pavilion Pyeonghoa-nuri for a full, half, 10km, and 6km
courses. The full course (42.195km) runs toward Ribbygyo Bridge Intersection,
CIQ; the half course (21.0975km) turns at Yeougogae Intersection, CIQ; the 10km
course turns at Gunnae 3-way intersection; and the 6km course turns at the north
gate of Unification Bridge.
Apart from running, the event
will feature performances by famous singers as well as military bands and
cheerleading teams. A wide variety of additional events such as a ‘ribbon race of hope’, face painting, massage,
traditional knot tying, and caricature drawing sessions will be offered during
the competition. Additionally, all participants will receive a medal for
completing the race, as well as a certificate and small souvenir. Those who
record a competitive time will receive a certificate of merit, a trophy, and an
additional prize.
Applications to participate
can be submitted through the official website of the Peaceful Unification
Marathon until September 9. There are participation fees of KRW 40,000 for the
full course, KRW 35,000 for the half course and 10km course, and KRW 30,000 for
the 6km course.
Gyeonggi Province’s Balanced Development
Planning Assistant Governor Park Jeong-ran said, “This event will be an opportunity
to reflect on the pain of division, the importance of peaceful unification, and
the value of the DMZ.” Park continued, “We look forward to the unstinting interest and participation of those
who desire peaceful unification.”
Lim Soo-hyun gnews2683@naver.com
