JTBC Seoul International Marathon

The JoongAng Seoul Marathon is an annual footrace that takes place in Seoul, South Korea, usually in early November. First held in 1999, the race was established as a commemoration of Olympic marathon race which was held as part of the 1988 Seoul Olympics. It features a men’s marathon elite race, and also has non-professional races of 10 km as well as the marathon distance. Elite international competitors are usually not invited to the women’s race, thus that section tends to be a competition between Korean women only. Sponsored by JoongAng Ilbo.

Tracing a loop across Seoul, the course is generally flat, which allows for fast finishing times. It takes place in the south-east part of the city, heading into the suburbs towards Seongnam before looping back to finish in the Jamsil Olympic Stadium. The fast course has resulted in a number of sub-2:09 runs and even one sub-2:06 run in the men’s race over the course’s history. James Kwambai is the men’s course record holder with 2:05:50 hours and is the most successful athlete at the race, having won three times consecutively from 2011 to 2013. The women’s course record is 2:29:32 hours, set by national runner Lee Eun-Jung.