Seoul sets stricter rules for city-sponsored marathons

Participants run at the Kim Dae-jung Peace Marathon at the Peace Park in Seoul's Mapo District, Nov. 23, 2025. Yonhap

The Seoul Metropolitan Government unveiled a new set of guidelines tightening regulations on marathons organized or sponsored by the city, aiming to reduce traffic disruptions, noise and public inconvenience as citizens' love of running shows no sign of slowing.

Under the new rules, races requiring traffic control must now begin before 7:30 a.m. and finish around 10 a.m., moving up start times from the previous 8 a.m. or 9 a.m., according to the city government. The earlier ending is intended to ease commuter complaints caused by prolonged road closures.

The city also banned alcohol companies from sponsoring events, citing a mismatch between the spirit of athletics and alcoholic branding. Until last year, beverage makers such as OB Beer and HiteJinro sponsored marathons and distributed nonalcoholic beer to runners.

To maintain public order and safety, the guidelines set capacity limits for major public venues: 15,000 participants at Gwanghwamun Square, 12,000 at Seoul Plaza, 9,000 at Yeouido Park and 7,000 at World Cup Park. Organizers who fail to clean up litter on roads after races will face penalties.

Marathon secretariats are required to display contact information on banners to improve complaint handling and install water stations every 2 to 5 kilometers. Ambulances must also be arranged — at least 12 for half marathons and six for 10-kilometer races. Sound levels must also be kept below 65 decibels by banning DJing, marching bands and electronic sound systems.

The city explained the measures as “unavoidable policies to minimize inconvenience for residents,” noting that Seoul hosted 530 marathons last year alone.

In a move to turn early mornings into healthier urban spaces, Seoul is also reviewing the introduction of a “car-free morning” program next spring, modeled after Kuala Lumpur’s weekly initiative that closes key city roads to vehicles from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. for citizens to jog or cycle freely.