Kiwis grown in Boseong County, South Jeolla Province / Courtesy of Boseong County
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Running continues to gain popularity in Korea. Running helps reduce body fat and relieve stress, and with warmer weather encouraging more outdoor activities, events and marathons are being held with increasing frequency, fueling the craze. Interest in pre- and post-run nutrition is also rising, with people seeking foods that can replenish nutrients and fluids while aiding recovery after exercise.
According to the “Marathon Online” community website, 494 marathon events are scheduled to be held in 2026. That is about 100 more than the 394 events held in 2025 and roughly double the 248 events in 2021.
In a July 2025 survey on outdoor activities released by Gallup Korea, 31 percent of respondents aged 13 and older said they had gone running within the past year. That means about one in three people has tried running. Based on this figure, Korea’s running population is estimated to be approaching 10 million.
As more people take up running for health reasons, the standards for choosing pre- and post-workout snacks have risen. Runners now consider whether the snack contains nutrients like vitamins and minerals that support recovery, and whether it is easy to digest.
Runners participate at the “2026 Lotte World Tower Sky Run” at Lotte World Tower in Seoul, May 19. The unique event is a vertical marathon in which runners climb 2,917 stairs up the tower’s 123 floors and 555-meter height. Yonhap
Because energy replenishment through snacks affects people's physical condition, consumers are paying close attention to nutritional content.
Previously, portable snacks such as energy bars that provided quick energy were the most popular choice. However, many of these products contain artificial sugars and additives. The “clean eating” trend of consuming whole or minimally processed foods has been spreading, with fruit like apples, tomatoes, bananas and kiwis trending among runners. Kiwi stands out among these for its high nutrient density.
Kiwi is known as a nutrient-dense fruit, packed with more than 20 vitamins and minerals. It is rich in vitamin C, which is important for post-workout recovery. A 100 gram serving of kiwi contains 152 mg of vitamin C, meaning that a single kiwi can satisfy an adult’s entire recommended daily intake. Vitamin C helps has antioxidant effects and contributes to improved immunity and vitality. It is especially useful for managing fatigue and inflammatory responses that may occur after high-intensity exercise.
Source: Korea Times News
