DONGDUCHEON, Apr. 23 (Korea Bizwire) – The city of Dongducheon is preparing to host the much-acclaimed Dongducheon Korea 50K trail race on April 27, kicking off the year’s international trail running season with great fanfare.
The races will take place at the Dongducheon Sports Complex and Nolja Forest.
Introduced in 2015, the Dongducheon Korea 50K is marking its 10th anniversary this year, and the competition for entry was fierce.
According to city officials, when registration opened on a first-come, first-served basis (capped at 1,800) last December, the overwhelming demand caused the official website to crash, demonstrating the event’s soaring popularity.
This year’s Korea 50K features three distances – 50K, 22K, and 5K – winding through the mountainous terrain of Chilbongsan, Cheonbosan, Wangbangsan, and Guksabong in Dongducheon.
The 50K starts at 6 a.m. from the Sports Complex and continues until 7 p.m., while the 5K begins at 10 a.m. from the same location, finishing by noon. The 22K race kicks off at 9 a.m. from Nolja Forest, with runners aiming to cross the finish line by 3 p.m.
Finishers in each category will receive commemorative items such as completion certificates, medals, and jackets. Notably, the 22K event, introduced last year as part of the Salomon Golden Trail National Series, will serve as the first qualifier for this year’s series, prompting intense competition for top positions.
As the first International Trail Running Association (ITRA) certified event in South Korea, participants can earn 2 points for completing the 22K and 3 points for the 50K distance.
The cumulative ITRA points determine national ranking in league competitions, heightening interest in the event. More than 50 international trail runners from 14 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mongolia, Germany, and Italy, are expected to participate.
Given the natural setting, safety is a top priority. Only participants who pass gear inspections before, during, and after the races will be permitted to compete. Essential equipment includes a race backpack, water bottle (1L or larger), waterproof jacket, charged phone and battery pack, emergency medication, and emergency rations.
The city of Dongducheon and event organizers have implemented a comprehensive safety plan to ensure participants can run safely and maintain optimal conditions.
This includes strengthening cooperation with police and fire departments, pre-race course inspections and test runs, participant and staff insurance coverage, deploying medical and safety personnel (including mountain rescue teams) with a designated hospital, and operating a joint situation room for real-time emergency response.
Commemorating the 10th anniversary, the finish line has been relocated to the “Square of U.S.-Korea Friendship” in Bosan-dong. This move allows families, friends, and supporters to celebrate the finishers’ achievements.
Additionally, the Dongducheon Music Association will host a concert, busking performances, and various side events and activities.
Detailed schedules and information about the Korea 50K can be found on the official website, korea50k.com.
Image credit: Dongducheon City, Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
