Runners take part in the 2025 Seoul Half Marathon at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, April 27, 2025. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government
The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Wednesday it will hold the 2026 Seoul Half Marathon on Sunday, with runners setting off from Gwanghwamun Square at 7:30 a.m.
Now in its 10th year, the race is co-hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, The Chosun Ilbo and the Seoul Sports Council.
A total of 22,000 runners will participate across a half-marathon course and a 10-kilometer course, making it the largest half-marathon event in Korea.
The half-marathon course runs through central Seoul and along the Han River, passing Mapo Bridge and Yanghwa Bridge before finishing at Peace Plaza in Sangam. The 10-kilometer course finishes at Yeouido Park.
Major roads along the race route will be closed in stages from 7:20 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., with each section reopening immediately after runners pass. Officials said start and end times for traffic controls have been moved up 30 minutes from last year to reduce inconvenience to residents. The area around Gwanghwamun Square will be closed beginning at 5 a.m. and will reopen by 9 a.m.
Controlled sections include Gwanghwamun Square, Sejong-daero, Mapo-daero, Mapo Bridge, Yeouido-daero, Gukhoe-daero, Yanghwa Bridge, Hapjeong Station, Mapo-gu Office Station and portions of World Cup-ro. Each section will be controlled for approximately one to two-and-a-half hours, depending on when runners pass through.
Traffic police and guides will be deployed at key points on the day of the race, and real-time traffic information will be provided. Command posts and medical booths will be set up at major locations along the course, and more than 1,800 operational staff will be on duty, including some 70 race patrol personnel — medically trained staff who run alongside participants carrying emergency kits.
The city asked residents to avoid driving in affected areas and use public transportation such as the subway. Participants and spectators were also asked to refrain from excessive noise or use of noisemaking devices out of consideration for residents along the route.
Information on traffic controls and the event can be obtained through the 120 Dasan Call Center (dial 120), the 2026 Seoul Half Marathon secretariat at 070-4111-5620, or the official website at www.seoulhalfmarathon.com.
Source: Korea Times News
