As a self-proclaimed pool dweller, I never in a million years thought I’d be able to call myself a “runner”. Well, hell hath frozen over and I am now one of those annoying people Facebook posting pictures of her running endeavors.

KICK ASS KOREA reason 3

In Seoul, there are quite a few options for swimmers, but like almost every place in this city, the free swim periods tend to be quite crowded. This proves to be difficult if you’re a serious swimmer and would like to get a good workout. On the other hand, there are even more places for a good run. Almost every gym has a decent amount of treadmills and no matter where you are in Korea, there are lots of well-lit paths and trails outside.

A marathoner friend of mine persistently tried to get me to go for a run with her. It took a lot of coaxing, but I went for it and have been hooked ever since. Some of my favorite routes are in and around Namsan. It happens to be a stone’s throw from my house, so it’s also very convenient. Otherwise, the banks of the Han River have paths that span pretty much from the east to west of Seoul. Seoul Forest and Olympic Park are also two really great spots for a scenic and flat run.

If it’s races you’re looking for, then Seoul and Gyeonggi-do are in no shortage of races almost every weekend. The races in Korea are really varied, which is pretty cool. You can choose anything from a 5k to a 100k race. Typically, a single race will include your choice of a 5k, 10k, or half marathon event. Sometimes there will be full and a less often 15k. Generally, registration fees are a lot cheaper in Korea than in other places. The most I’ve had to pay for a single race entry was 40,000 won. To see a list of races across Korea for the month, go to Marathon Online (Korean) : http://www.marathon.pe.kr/schedule_index.html

I would say that the best thing about the races in Korea is the swag! (I guess the feeling of accomplishment after having worked hard to achieve your goal is pretty nice too.) I’ve received some sweat-wicking shirts, thermal pullovers, windbreakers, tons of selfie sticks, and the list goes on. Some races even offer huge bags of rice as the swag.

Finally, if you’re looking for a running buddy or group, look up the Seoul Flyers. You can find them on Facebook or visit their website :

http://www.seoulflyers.com/ They have scheduled runs every week and they also have a list of race events in English for paid members.

Happy running trails! 🙂