Running Nation, Racing Problems



The Background Behind the Running Boom

Running is no longer just a passing trend. It has become part of everyday life. Beyond being a simple form of exercise, running has grown into a culture of marathon events, small running communities, and social media sharing across the country, opening the era of ten million runners in Korea.

One of the main reasons why running has grown so rapidly is the COVID-19 pandemic. As indoor exercise facilities became restricted during the pandemic, running gained attention as a non-contact individual sport. According to Gallup Korea, the domestic running participation rate increased sharply from 23% in 2021 to 32% in 2025. Compared to many other sports, running is enjoyed by people of all ages and gender In particular, statistics show that about 43% of men in their 20s and 30s have experience with running, meaning that four out of ten young men participate in the activity. It is clear that younger generations in their 20s and 30s are currently leading and expanding running culture in Korea.

Even before the running boom, non-contact sports such as hiking and golf experienced periods of popularity. However, these sports had limitations because of barriers to entry, and expensive equipment costs. Running, on the other hand, can be enjoyed anytime and anywhere without many restrictions or expensive equipment, which became one of the major reasons behind its popularity.

What Is “Healthy Pleasure”?

A keyword phrase that represents the younger generation is “Healthy Pleasure.” Healthy Pleasure refers to managing one’s health in a fun, active, and stress-free way. The term combines the ideas of health and happiness. Through social media, people share workout methods and diet plans while enjoying healthy lifestyles as part of a shared culture.

Society is becoming increasingly health-conscious, with consumers seeking zero-sugar beverages and reducing their alcohol consumption Drinking, which was once naturally accepted in social life, is now becoming a matter of personal choice and is influencing overall consumer culture. According to an alcohol consumption trend analysis published by NH Nonghyup Bank, spending at bars and pubs among people in their 20s decreased by 20% in 2025 compared to 2024, showing the largest decrease among all age groups.

This suggests that younger generations increasingly see spending money on alcohol as a waste of money. It also shows that this change is not simply caused by economic conditions or temporary trends, but by changing values among younger consumers. Social media culture has also changed. Instead of sharing drinking gatherings online, people now participate in health-related challenges such as “WOD,” which means “Workout Of The Day.” Running has become closely connected with this trend. Hashtags such as “WOD” and “Running Motivation” have accumulated millions of posts on social media platforms. For young people, sharing running records online has become one of the most stylish forms of self-expression.

Problems Caused by the Marathon Boom

As interest in running has increased, demand for marathons has naturally grown as well. According to Marathon Online, the number of marathon events in Korea increased from 248 in 2021 to 494 in 2025, nearly doubling within four years.

In addition, many unique marathons focusing on fun and experience rather than competition have appeared, including the “Coffeebbang Run,” “Pokemon Run,” and “Pork Belly Marathon.” Marathons are no longer simply competitions based on records and rankings. They are becoming running festivals that create memories and experiences in everyday life.

Some marathons block roads and provide runners with unique experiences that cannot normally be enjoyed. However, behind this popularity, inconvenience for citizens is also increasing because of traffic control, noise, and trash during weekends. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, marathon-related traffic control cases increased from 2 in 2021 to 28 in 2025. During marathon season, roads throughout the city are closed for long periods of time, causing major inconvenience for its citizens.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, complaints related to traffic congestion sharply increased from 15 cases in 2021 to 461 cases in 2024. Before races begin, participants often crowd into buildings to stay warm, illegally throw away trash, or use restrooms in commercial buildings without permission, creating inconvenience for citizens in urban areas. In addition, police manpower used for traffic control is not financially supported by marathon organizers. This means public tax money is used for administrative operations related to these events.

Accidents also occur during marathon operations. Recently, a marathon runner in his 20s died after being hit by a truck during a relay marathon event held in the Chungbuk region. Causes of the accident included poor vehicle control by organizers, insufficient warning systems, and inexperienced traffic control personnel. One of the reasons such accidents occur is the lack of regulations controlling the rapidly increasing number of marathons.

Under the current National Sports Promotion Act, sporting events with fewer than 1,000 participants are not legally required to establish safety management plans. The Chungbuk Marathon accident raises important questions about the overall operation of marathon events. While the number of marathons continues to grow rapidly, safety management systems are failing to keep pace. The number of marathon participants is increasing, but responsibility structures remain unclear. Citizens bear the inconvenience, while participants bear the risks.

The Hangang Ultra Marathon, which was scheduled for May 16, 2026, was canceled only two days before the event. According to Seoul’s Future Hangang Headquarters, marathon events involving more than 500 participants in Hangang Park must receive prior approval for venue use. However, the organizers attempted to proceed without receiving official approval.

Authorities stopped the event because of concerns about possible accidents caused by large crowds gathering for the Hangang Light Show scheduled on the same day. Even though ultramarathons involve running distances of 100 kilometers and require strict safety management, permit issues were not resolved until right before the event. Such responses damage participants’ trust in marathon operations.

What Is a Desirable Running Culture?

The popularity of running culture is positive overall. Running is easy for anyone to start and provides many health benefits. However, the real issue is the speed and direction of its growth.

Running is a sport shared by everyone in public spaces. Behaviors such as occupying sidewalks or causing loud disturbances should be avoided. A running culture that respects and considers others should become established.

Marathons can also become a good model for revitalizing local economies. Instead of focusing only on Seoul, marathon events could connect more closely with regional cities and help manage growing demand. Such cooperation could help reduce regional inequality and support local communities.

Running is not simply about being faster. It is about running more safely while coexisting together as a community.

Shin JaeKyeong

<shinjk2004@naver.com>