Travel
Seoul Marathon to bring 40,000 runners to the city on March 15
Haps Magazine Korea
March 4, 2026
(Photo courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea)
The 2026 Seoul Marathon will take place on March 15, bringing around 40,000 runners to the streets of the capital for one of Asia’s most historic road races.
The race will begin at 7:30 a.m. at Gwanghwamun Square and finish at Jamsil Sports Complex. Both elite athletes and amateur runners will participate, with the full marathon (42.195 km) contested by professional competitors and a masters division offering both 42.195 km and 10 km courses for the public.
Originally launched in 1931 as the Dong-A Marathon, the event is considered one of Asia’s oldest marathon races. It also holds the World Athletics “Platinum Label,” the highest international certification for road races, which it has maintained for seven consecutive years.
This year’s elite field will include 173 runners from nine countries. Returning champions Haftu Teklu of Ethiopia (2:05:42) and Bekelech Gudeta of Ethiopia (2:21:36) will compete for back-to-back victories. Ethiopian marathoner Sisay Lemma, who holds one of the fastest marathon times in history at 2:01:48, is also expected to compete.
Foreign participation has grown significantly, with 6,424 international runners registered this year—more than 70 percent higher than last year.
Alongside the race, the Seoul Running Expo will be held at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) from March 13 to March 15. The event will feature medal engraving services for finishers, talks with running influencers, training workshops, and live performances.
On race day, traffic will be partially restricted along the course from Gwanghwamun to Jamsil between 5 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., with roads reopening gradually after runners pass.