Crossing the finish line of my first marathon in Seoul was an unforgettable moment. It was a chilly March day, and for nearly four hours, I pushed my limits along the familiar streets of my hometown. Tears filled my eyes as I completed the race, overwhelmed by exhaustion and pride. Beside me, my 67-year-old father, a seasoned runner, beamed with joy.
My father has been a dedicated runner for decades, part of the early wave of marathoners in Korea. As a member of the Bundang Marathon Club since 2008, he embodies the club’s ethos: running as a way of life. Founded in 1999 in Seongnam’s Bundang district, this 100-member community brings together runners of all ages and abilities.
The club’s oldest member, 81-year-old Lee Jongchang, has completed nearly 80 marathons in 25 years. Starting at middle age, Lee transformed his health through consistent running. He recalls, “After a run, my body and mind feel younger. Staying healthy requires effort, but it’s worth it.”
Each Sunday, members run along the Tancheon stream, divided into groups based on their marathon times. Weekly training sessions focus on strength and endurance, emphasizing the discipline required for long-distance running. As the club’s training manager, 44-year-old Lee Taekeun Ted explains, “Marathon running demands consistent, long-term effort—it reflects the training you put in.”
The club fosters a sense of community. On race days, members travel together, sharing snacks like kimbap and rice cakes. While some run, others volunteer, providing support and preparing hearty meals like pollock roe soup for recovery. Celebrations often include Korean delicacies paired with soju, beer, or makgeolli, as members recount their race experiences.
Extraordinary athletes like 60-year-old Kang Ho, who has completed 100 sub-three-hour marathons, thrive in this environment. Kang highlights the joy of running with others, saying, “It removes loneliness and replaces hardship with enjoyment.”
The club also champions inclusion, with women making up nearly a third of its members. President Kim Sujin, who has run prestigious marathons like Berlin’s, emphasizes the importance of camaraderie: “Running is solitary, but companions help you go further and enjoy the journey.”
From beginners to veterans, the Bundang Marathon Club offers not just a path to fitness, but also a vibrant community and a shared purpose: to keep running, together, as long as life allows.
READ MORE: