South Korea is known as the land of K-Pop and kimchi, but did you know that there are some world-class marathon events held here as well?

 

 

From the beautiful Jeju Island to the serene Uiamho Lake, there's no better way to experience South Korea's wonderful scenery and weather up close and personal.

 

 

Held in the Korean Demilitarised Zone (which despite its name is the most densely militarised zone in the world) Cheorwon DMZ International Peace Marathon aims to promote peace and reconciliation for both sides.

 

This annual event held in the town of Cheorwon, formerly a North Korean town, attracts surprisingly few international visitors for such a lovely race in an iconic location. Held at the start of September each year, this race is the perfect start to the autumn race season. Spend all summer training in 30° heat and a run in the low twenties is suddenly a doddle!

 

This marathon is one of the only few ways for civilians to enter this almost untouched region. The land within the DMZ is pristine, and farmers who live inside receive special permission to grow and harvest rice. In fact, marathon participants receive 3kg of rice grown in the DMZ as part of their race pack goodies! They've got everything from the full & half marathon to 10km and 5km categories.

 

Running along the DMZ course, participants will be given a chance to glimpse the reality of the divided Korean Peninsula.

 

Comprising four divisions _ full course, half-course, 10-kilometer and five-kilometer _ the course passes well-preserved natural settings and tourist sites, including the former regional office of North Korea's Workers' Party and Woljeong-ri Station, South Korea's northernmost train station.