Running for peace amid tensions

DMZ marathon attracts 5,000 participants

By Kang Hyun-kyung

Amid the heightened security environment surrounding the Korean Peninsula following North Korea’s launching of missiles and conducting a nuclear test, a “peace marathon” was held Sunday in the northeastern border county of Cheorwon.

Around 5,000 participants, including 400 foreigners, ran for peace during the 14th Cheorwon DMZ International Peace Marathon comprising of four sections _ the full course (42.195km), half course (21.097 km), 10 km and 5 km. Australian Ambassador to Korea James Choi and Heikki Ranta, head of the Finish Chamber of Commerce in Korea, took part.

Joel Kimaru Keiyo from Kenya and Ryu Seung-wha from South Korea won the men’s and women’s full course, respectively.

Ryu won the full course DMZ marathon for the third time in a row. She said she was “happy to win the race that was held to promote peace” on the Korean Peninsula. Ryu entered the marathon with her husband, Lee Ji-won, who finished fifth in the 5 km race. “My husband and I will run as long as our health holds up,” she said.

The DMZ marathon is well-known for its scenic, historic and cultural course. Starting from Goseokjeong Pavilion, South Korea’s northern-most route includes peaceful paddy fields stretching over Cheorwon which is home to premium rice production, the 1,000-year-old temple of Dopiansa established by the great monk Doseon, and the Jiktang Falls. The DMZ marathon gave racers a rare peek into the inside of the heavily-fortified military zone which is off-limit to civilians during the rest of the year. The Iron Triangle Zone near Goseokjeong Pavilion exhibits historical records of the Battle of Triangle Hill, a protracted military engagement during the Korean War, and showcases the grim security reality of a divided Korea.

This year’s DMZ marathon was special to several racers. For veteran marathon runner Won Wan-sik, the marathon this year was the 1,000th full course marathon he has finished. The 60-year-old became the sixth Korean to have completed 1,000 marathons. Won described the race as “a self struggle” to overcome himself and said he tried not to be overwhelmed by his anniversary race.

Prior to the marathon, Won finished a full course marathon held near Lake Baikal in the southern Siberian region of Russia earlier this month. He became a marathoner in 2004 and finished a full one for the first time the following year. He was reborn as an iron man. Last year, he completed 150 marathons. The total distance he has run over the past 13 years is 42,100 km.

Lim Seon-bin, 84, was the oldest racer to join the marathon. He called marathons “a life partner” and said he was able to keep himself healthy thanks to running them. Lim completed 5 km.