GWANGJU, Jan. 14 (Korea Bizwire) — Service members participating in the ‘Seonbong Book Marathon’ at the Republic of Korea Air Force 1st Fighter Wing had surpassed ‘11,320 kilometers’ worth of reading as of Sunday.
The Seonbong Book Marathon is a program introduced last year where reading a page accounts for 100 meters of ‘running’ in the race.
The program encourages participants to read at least 500 kilometers worth of books per yearly quarter.
Over the past year, service members read over 1,132,000 pages, which, in terms of the distance covered, equates to roughly 11,320 kilometers, longer than the Trans-Siberian Railway.
An average of 560 service members participated in the marathon each quarter, reading over 2,700 books. Participants submit a short report to the military library for each book they finish.
The 1st Fighter Wing has been giving out vacations and gift certificates for those who compete in the race, and inviting special guests to give lectures on reading.
“I now feel more attached to books thanks to the Book Marathon,” said Staff Sgt. Lee Min-gi, who ‘ran’ the longest distance in the race. “I can better appreciate the excitement of reading books now.”
Image Credit: Republic of Korea Air Force 1st Fighter Wing / photonews@koreabizwire.com
