By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
Violist Richard Yongjae O'Neill is trading in his viola for running shoes, when he participates in the 2009 Chuncheon Marathon, Sunday.
O'Neill will take part in the 42.195 kilometer full course, which starts 10 a.m. at Ulam Leisure Town, Chuncheon City.
He is taking on this challenge to raise funds for charity, since he has promised to donate 1 won for every meter he runs. If he does finish the race, he will donate around 42.19 million won to charity.
This is O'Neill's first attempt at a full marathon, and his aim is to finish it in four hours. The course runs a loop from the Ulam Leisure Town main stadium around Lake Ulam and back to the stadium.
O'Neill, keeping a busy schedule and shuttling between the United States, Europe and Korea, has been running to maintain his health and fitness. He runs at least three times a week, and has been steadily preparing for the marathon.
In a statement, he said running a marathon also helps him with his music. He noted how playing the viola and running are both physically and mentally challenging, and require intense concentration.
O'Neill was one of the few violists to receive the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant and a Grammy Award nomination (Best Soloist with Orchestra).
He became known in Korea through a TV documentary showing him as a loving son of a Korean adoptee living in the U.S. He has captivated Korean fans with his music, as seen with best-selling albums and sold out concerts.