On sweltering summer evenings in Korea, city dwellers traditionally seek refuge inside air-conditioned sanctuaries or steam-filled public bathhouses, unwinding over chilled drinks after a long day. This month, municipal planners are taking that beloved bathhouse culture outdoors, pairing the nation’s passion for relaxation with its rapidly growing urban running movement. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Monday the debut of its new waterfront night-running series, kicking off Aug. 28 with the Yangjaecheon Moonlight Night Run. Organized in partnership with the city's official 7979 Seoul Running Crew, the event invites 300 participants to complete a 5.8-kilometer route along the tree-lined Yangjae and Yeoui streams in southern Seoul. What sets the event apart is its playful immersion into Korean sauna culture. Running enthusiasts will navigate the riverside course equipped with bathhouse-themed paraphernalia, including mini towel-folded "sheep-head" headbands and wristband locker keys. The initiative is designed to offer a lighthearted, social fitness experience while celebrat