The Jungnang Rose Marathon — officially the 19th Jungnang-gu Mayor’s Rose Marathon — will be held on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at Junghwa Sports Park along the Jungnangcheon (Jungnang Stream) in eastern Seoul. Registration is open through October 7, 2026.
🌹 Running Where Seoul’s Rose Tunnel Blooms
Jungnang-gu is best known across Seoul for one thing: roses. The district’s stretch of the Jungnangcheon holds the country’s longest rose tunnel, and every spring hundreds of thousands of visitors walk beneath it during the Jungnang Seoul Rose Festival. The Mayor’s Rose Marathon carries that same neighborhood pride into autumn, bringing runners of every level to the same riverside paths for a morning of racing along the stream.
This is a community race built around participation rather than spectacle. The organizers describe it as an event created “for the promotion of community health and the development of a sports culture,” and the spirit shows in the details: prize money for the top finishers is donated to support local residents in need, and the course is designed to welcome everyone from competitive club runners to families walking a 5K together.
For international runners, this is also a genuinely accessible race. It sits inside Seoul, a short walk from a subway exit, with no need to travel outside the city — a good option if you want to combine a race with time exploring the capital.
📅 Event Overview
- Event name: 19th Jungnang-gu Mayor’s Rose Marathon (also styled as the Athletics Federation President’s Cup)
- Date: Sunday, October 18, 2026
- Assembly time: 7:30 AM
- Start time: 8:30 AM (changed from an originally announced 8:00 AM start — check the official site for the latest time before race day)
- Venue: Junghwa Sports Park (중화체육공원), Jungnang-gu, Seoul
- Distances: 5K, 10K, Half Marathon
- Registration period: Through October 7, 2026
- Organizer: Jungnang-gu Sports Council
- Supervising body: Jungnang-gu Athletics Federation
Start order on race morning runs half marathon, then 10K, then 5K, so plan your warm-up around your category’s call time rather than the single 8:30 start listed above.
🗺️ Course Details & Entry Fees
All three distances start and finish at Junghwa Sports Park and follow the paved paths along the Jungnangcheon. The organizer publishes course maps as images rather than a written turn-by-turn description, so exact routing (out-and-back points, bridge crossings) is best confirmed from the official course map linked below before race day.
| Distance | Entry fee | Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| 5K | 50,000 KRW | 2 hours |
| 10K | 50,000 KRW | 3 hours |
| Half Marathon | 50,000 KRW | 3 hours |
All three distances cost the same, so choose based on your training rather than price. The organizer notes that a sweep ambulance follows the last half-marathon runners, and anyone who cannot safely continue can be picked up rather than pushing through the full distance.
📊 Course Analysis and Difficulty
Like most Jungnangcheon races, this course runs on flat, paved riverside paths with minimal elevation change, making it a reasonable option for a first half marathon or a personal-best attempt. The main variables are weather (mid-October in Seoul is usually cool and pleasant, but can still be breezy along the open riverbank) and footing at any points where the route crosses under road bridges. Because the exact 2026 route isn’t published in text form, treat this as a general guide rather than a confirmed elevation profile, and check the course map on the official site closer to race day.
One data point worth sharing: a runner who posted their race report from the 2025 (18th) edition recorded a half marathon time of 1:46:02, which they described as a personal best set on this course — a useful, if anecdotal, sign that the route rewards a steady, even effort.
🏆 Prize Money and Awards
Overall placers 1st–5th in both the half marathon and the 5K/10K categories receive certificates and prize money, ranging from 300,000 KRW for the half marathon winner down to 50,000 KRW for 4th–5th place in the shorter distances. Registered athletes under the Korea Association of Athletics Federations, or those who deregistered less than two years ago, are excluded from prize eligibility. Placement is determined by gun time and judges’ decisions, while official times are recorded by net (chip) time.
Notably, prize money at this race supports a local cause: the organizer states that award money is donated toward supporting underprivileged neighbors in the district.
🎁 Souvenirs and Race-Day Extras
Registered runners can expect:
- A commemorative T-shirt
- A finisher medal
- Post-race snacks (contents may vary)
- Sponsor items, which in recent years have included protein meal replacement products, bedding vouchers, and knee-support gear from event sponsors
The organizer notes that souvenirs and prizes are subject to change, so treat this as a guide to what’s typical rather than a guaranteed list.
📝 Registration Information
Registration is open until October 7, 2026, and cancellations with a refund are accepted only through September 27, 2026.
This is a race where international runners will run into a real obstacle: there is no online card payment. Entry fees are paid only by bank transfer to a Nonghyup account under the name of the Korea Amateur Sports Association, with the depositor’s name and date of birth included in the transfer memo. That works smoothly for someone with a Korean bank account, but it is not something a runner paying from overseas can normally do.
If you’d like help entering this race, Sports Event Korea can register you and let you pay in US dollars through PayPal instead of a Korean bank transfer. Send a request through our registration support form and we’ll reply by email within 3 business days at the latest with your fee and payment instructions, followed by a final confirmation within 5 business days at the latest. See our About page for the full pricing breakdown.
Bib collection: race bibs are mailed to participants who register by September 27; those who register after that date collect their bib on-site on race morning. Bring your bib with you — lost or forgotten bibs cannot be reissued, and no spares are kept on hand, so your time cannot be recorded without it.
🚇 How to Get There
Junghwa Sports Park sits right next to the subway, which makes this one of the easier Seoul races to reach without a car.
- Take Seoul Subway Line 7 to Junghwa Station.
- Leave via Exit 4.
- Walk roughly 500 meters along the Jungnangcheon to Junghwa Sports Park.
There is no dedicated parking at the venue, and the organizer specifically asks runners to use public transport because parking near the park is limited and congestion is expected on race morning. If you’re coming from Incheon International Airport, the most straightforward route is the AREX train into central Seoul followed by a transfer onto Line 7 toward Junghwa Station; check a current subway map for the exact transfer point that fits your starting station, since travel apps will route this more precisely than a fixed instruction can.
🥗 Preparation Tips for International Runners
👟 Shoes and Gear
This is a flat, paved course, which suits well-cushioned road shoes you’ve already broken in during training. Avoid racing in brand-new shoes — even a great shoe can cause blisters or discomfort over 21 kilometers if your feet haven’t adjusted to it.
💧 Hydration
Mid-October mornings in Seoul are usually cool, so the bigger hydration risk is under-drinking because you don’t feel thirsty. Drink normally in the two days before the race and take small amounts at aid stations rather than skipping them because the weather feels mild.
🧘 Injury Prevention and Stretching
Warm up with dynamic movements — leg swings, hip circles, a short easy jog — rather than long static stretches before the start; save deeper stretching for after you finish. If you’re racing for a time, remember that placement here is judged partly by gun time, so a slightly earlier position in the start corral is genuinely worth having if you’re chasing a podium finish.
🩺 Race-Day Basics
The organizer recommends a medical check-up before the race if you have any health concerns, and asks runners to pace conservatively rather than push through pain. On-site, changing rooms and a baggage check area are available, though valuables are kept at your own risk.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is this race suitable for beginners?
Yes. The flat course and the 5K option make it approachable for a first race, and the atmosphere is aimed at community participation rather than elite competition.
Can I pay online with a credit card?
No. The organizer accepts payment only by domestic bank transfer. International runners can use our registration support service to pay by PayPal instead.
What’s the cut-off time?
Two hours for the 5K, and three hours for both the 10K and the half marathon.
Is there baggage storage on race day?
Yes, changing rooms and a baggage check area are provided, but the organizer does not take responsibility for lost valuables.
What happens if I lose my race bib?
Bibs cannot be reissued and no spares are available, so hold onto the bib you receive by mail or collect on-site.
Can I get a refund if I can’t attend?
Refunds are accepted for cancellations made by September 27, 2026. After that date, the organizer’s published refund policy no longer applies — confirm current terms on the official site before registering close to the deadline.
What happens if it rains?
Korean road races typically proceed in light or moderate rain. Any changes for severe weather would be announced on the organizer’s official channels, so check the day before if the forecast looks bad.
🏁 More Races Around Seoul
Planning a running trip to Seoul? These guides may also help:
👉 Visit the official Jungnang-gu Mayor’s Rose Marathon website
Do you need help with registration?
Do you need help with registration?Sports Event Korea can help overseas runners register for Korean races. Send a registration request
