DAEJEON, Jan. 2 (Korea Bizwire) – On the first day of the 2024, Daejeon’s Yuseong-gu Hanbit Tower Plaza came alive with the ’2024 Sunyang Maenmom Running Festival.’
This unique event, in which half-naked runners brave frigid winter temperatures, attracted over 6,000 participants, including 2,024 runners, along with their families, marking a vibrant start to the New Year.
Since its inception in 2016 as the “Daejeon Maenmom Marathon,” the event, organized by the local beverage company The Mackiss Company, has gained significant popularity.
This year, marking its seventh iteration, the event was rebranded as the “Sunyang Maenmom Running Festival.”
Participants kicked off their run at precisely 11:11:11 AM, embarking on a 7-kilometer journey along the banks of the Gapcheon River. The event stood out for its diverse participation, with over 65% of runners in their teens to 30s, adding to the fervor of the occasion.
The festival was not just for seasoned marathon enthusiasts. Corporations, institutions, and a notable number of international participants also joined, bringing their own unique spirit to the event.
Families with young children were a common sight, emphasizing the event’s inclusive and community-focused nature.
Yoon Jong-seok, a 41-year-old participant from Sejong, expressed his motivation for joining the run, saying, “I ran with the hope of health and happiness for my loved ones and the growth of my company.”
Adding a creative twist to the festivities, many participants took to writing and drawing New Year’s wishes and resolutions on their bodies and faces with paint.
Aligning with the year of the Blue Dragon, numerous participants showcased their artistic skills with dragon drawings and even wore dragon hats, embodying the spirit of the occasion.
The messages written on the participants’ bodies, such as “2024 Everyone Healthy”, “2024 Health and Happiness”, and “Full of Willpower”, reflected the collective hopes and aspirations for the New Year.
Cho Wung-rae, the chairman of The Mackiss Company, shared his thoughts on the event: “I hope that the success of this first challenge of the year leads to a year where everyone achieves what they aspire to.
As a local company, Mackiss will continue to create and practice values that coexist with the community.”
Image credit: The Mackiss Company / photonews@koreabizwire.com
