DMZ international marathon slated for Sunday

In this Sept. 24, 2017 file photo, participants of the DMZ International Marathon kick off the race at the starting line at Goseokjeong Pavilion in Cheorwon County, Gangwon Province. / Korea Times file

The annual DMZ international marathon will take place on the nation's northeastern border county of Cheorwon on Sunday to promote peace across the divided Korean Peninsula.

The 15th Cheorwon DMZ International Peace Marathon is co-hosted by the Hankook Ilbo, the sister paper of The Korea Times, and Cheorwon County in Gangwon Province, 90 kilometers north of Seoul.

Participants will run around the heavily fortified military zone, moving through areas featuring well-preserved nature near the demilitarized zone.

Courses for the DMZ marathon are ideal for runners as its slope is gentle and mostly straight.

It is also well-known for its scenic, historic and cultural course. Running along the DMZ course, participants will also get a glimpse into the ongoing military tension on the peninsula where the two Koreas are still in a technical state of war.

Participants can choose from four marathon categories, including full course, half course, 10-kilometer and five-kilometer. While running along the courses, they can also enjoy the essence of Korean historic sites, such as the former regional office of North Korea's Workers' Party and Woljeong-ri Station, South Korea's northernmost train station.

About 340 foreign participants will join the event this year, including Australian Ambassador to Korea James Choi and British Ambassador Simon Smith.

This year's event is supervised by the Cheorwon Sports Association. Other supporters include MARATHON MAIL, Wizrun solutions, S&B Tour and Samik Electronics. All participants will receive a gift card that could be only used in Cheorwon and T-shirts from clothes maker K2 as gifts.

Visit dmzrun.kr for more information, including the marathon course, participation fee and transportation information.

When: Sunday, Sept. 9 at 9 a.m.

Starting point: Goseokjeong Pavilion in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province

Course: Full course, half course, 10-kilometer, five-kilometer

Official webpage: dmzrun.kr

Inquiries: (031) 821-9902, wisrunsol@naver.com

Organizers: Hankook Ilbo and Cheorwon County of Gangwon Province

Sponsors: The Korea Times, Hankook Sports Economy, Gangwondo Development Corporation, Pocari Sweat Korea, High1 Resort, K2, Cheorwon County Council, 6th Infantry Division, Cheorwon Police Station, Cheorwon Fire Station, Cheorwon Office of Education