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The Korea Times

South Korea’s streets, parks and travel itineraries are being redrawn as a nationwide running trend shows no sign of slowing.
Once the preserve of a small group of enthusiasts, running has evolved into a mass hobby, with some 10 million South Koreans now identifying themselves as runners, according to industry and tourism data. That is roughly double the figure from 2015.
Marathons and road races are multiplying across the country, and “run trips” that combine travel and races are emerging as a new form of leisure.
Office worker Yoo Jae-moon, 38, became part of the trend last autumn after a suggestion from a colleague.
“I used to struggle even with walking fast,” Yoo says. “Now I run 5km very slowly after work or on weekends, and just hitting 30 or 40 minutes feels like a big achievement.”
Running has helped him lose weight and feel stronger in his back and shoulders, and he is now considering his first half-marathon this year.

The appeal for many lies in its simplicity and autonomy. After the Covid-19 pandemic pushed people away from crowded indoor gyms, outdoor activities such as hiking and tennis surged – and that same desire for fresh air, flexible schedules and solo workouts has since propelled running into the mainstream.
Compared with other sports, running also requires minimal equipment and can be done almost anywhere, making it especially attractive to busy urban workers.
For 36-year-old Seoul office worker Choi Jae-hee, the mental payoff outweighs the physical strain. Having cycled through ballet, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Pilates, she now calls running her preferred form of exercise.
“When I run, I just start smiling,” she says. “It gives me way more dopamine than any other cardio and really shifts my mindset in a positive way.” Running outdoors, she adds, lets her “feel the wind, watch people and scenery go by” at her own pace.
Choi completed a city marathon last year and describes the experience as “overwhelming in the best way”. Large-scale races, she says, turn what is usually a solitary activity into a communal celebration.
“Hearing people cheer along the course gives you so much strength,” she says.
She is now aiming for a half-marathon this year, though soaring demand and rising entry fees have made securing a spot harder.
“Even so, I keep running because there’s nothing like it for maintaining a healthy mindset,” she says.

At the more competitive end of the spectrum is 37-year-old runner Shin Chul-woo, who has gradually built his life around the sport. He began with short solo runs during the pandemic and joined a running crew in March 2024. Since then, he has completed one ultra-marathon, four full marathons and one half-marathon.
“Running is really honest,” he says. “If you train hard, your times will improve. This year, I’m planning five more full marathons.”
Koreans’ love for running comes amid a broader focus on long-term health and wellness, often framed as a “slow-ageing” lifestyle that includes regular exercise.
The number of marathon events in South Korea jumped from 19 in 2020 to 254 in 2024, with more than a million participants in total, according to police data. Credit-card data shows spending at running speciality stores in the country has jumped 216 per cent over the past two years, with people in their thirties driving most of the increase.
The culture now spills well beyond urban tracks and riverside paths. Jeju and Busan market their coastal and trail routes as “run trip” destinations, blending natural scenery, local food and community races.
Travel agencies promote overseas packages combining races and sightseeing in Saipan, Vietnam and beyond to attract Koreans chasing finishing lines and beach sunsets.
Social media is thick with runners sharing their GPS maps, pace charts and sweaty selfies, often tracked and gamified through fitness apps and smartwatches.
The boom has also reshaped the retail landscape. Premium foreign brands have rushed into South Korea with flagship stores in trendy districts, while domestic and global retailers are carving out running-focused spaces with coaching, community events and product lines.

Online resale platforms report surging demand, not only for running shoes, but also for caps, socks, windbreakers and other accessories.
The explosive growth has not come without friction. Complaints from residents about noise, crowding and shirtless runners recently led several popular parks in Seoul to post notices limiting large group runs and loud cheering.
The rapid proliferation of marathons, with some streets closed weekend after weekend, has also sparked debate about public inconvenience, safety and the commercialisation of public space.
Still, for runners like Yoo and Choi, the simple act of putting one foot after the other remains deeply personal.
“I just want to protect this healthy mindset,” Choi says. “If I keep running, I feel like other parts of my life will follow.”
“It’s good that you can do just as much as you want, as much as you can,” Yoo says. “I realised if I run slowly, I can run for a long time.”
Read the full story in The Korea Times.


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What’s fuelling South Korea’s running boom? Inside the country’s growing fitness obsession

Runners set off during the DMZ International Peace Marathon, in the Demilitarized Zone in Gangwon province, in South Korea, on September 21, 2025. Some 10 million South Koreans now identify as runners, according to industry and tourism data, roughly double the figure from 2015. Photo: The Korea Times

Runners take part in the Give Runway charity marathon for child cancer patients organised by Korea Airports at Yongdam Park in Jeju City, South Korea, on October 30, 2025. Photo: The Korea Times

Compared with other sports, running requires minimal equipment and can be done almost anywhere. Photo: Shutterstock

The number of marathon events in South Korea jumped from 19 in 2020 to 254 in 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE

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Lifestyle

Travel & Leisure

Health & Wellness

From office workers to ultra-marathoners, South Korea’s running boom is reshaping streets, travel and retail as millions hit the pavement


From office workers to ultra-marathoners, South Korea’s running boom is reshaping streets, travel and retail as millions hit the pavement.


What’s fuelling South Korea’s running boom? Inside the country’s growing fitness obsession

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}From office workers to ultra-marathoners, South Korea’s running boom is reshaping streets, travel and retail as millions hit the pavement

From office workers to ultra-marathoners, South Korea’s running boom is reshaping streets, travel and retail as millions hit the pavement