The Cheonan Yu Gwan-sun Peace Marathon marks its 20th anniversary. About 3,000 runners celebrated together by running through Cheonan, the ‘holy place of the Manse Movement’.
The 20th Cheonan Yu Gwansun Peace Marathon, co-hosted by the Daejeon Ilbo and the Cheonan Athletics Federation, was held on the 21st at the Cheonan Independence Hall and around Mokcheon-eup. The Yu Gwansun Peace Marathon, which boasts a 20-year history, is a race loved by marathon enthusiasts across the country, and the half course (approximately 21 km), which had been suspended since the pandemic, was revived and received high expectations from marathon enthusiasts. In particular, this year added meaning to the 60th anniversary of the promotion of Cheonan City.
Early in the morning, the lawn in front of the House of Koreans at the Independence Hall was crowded with 3,000 players and their families from all over the country. At the event, various experience booths such as Hyundai Motor Company’s test drive booth, Sunmoon University physical therapy department club, Saerona Hospital’s sports massage, Apgujeong KM Plastic Surgery Clinic’s instant photo studio, and Namyang Dairy’s tasting booth satisfied the five senses of the participants. It also served as a pre-promotional venue for the K-Culture Expo to be held at the Independence Hall in August.
Cheonan City Mayor Park Sang-don, Cheonan City Sports Association President Han Nam-gyo, National Assembly member Moon Jin-seok (Cheonan Gap), Cheonan City Athletics Federation advisor Cho Bung-je, and Cheonan city council member Jang Hyuk visited the event to celebrate the 20th anniversary. Mayor Park Sang-don said, “The Yu Gwan-soon Marathon has been running for 20 years. Han Nam-gyo, president of the Cheonan Sports Council, said, “Cheonan is a city of sports and a city of marathons.
In commemoration of the 20th anniversary, the Daejeon Ilbo presented plaques of appreciation to the Cheonan Red Cross Volunteer Center, the Cheonan City Branch of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, and the Cheonan Dongnam Police Station for their unsparing support for the success of the event. In addition, this year, we delivered scholarships for marathon hopefuls in Cheonan.
At 9:00 in the morning, the temperature was 16 degrees and the cloudy weather was perfect for the race. In line with the sound of the city gun, the participants ran down the main road. The leading electric car supported by Hyundai Motors led the players in front. Members of the Traffic Security Division of the Cheonan Dongnam Police Station, members of the Mokcheon-eup Autonomous Crime Prevention Team, and exemplary drivers spared no effort in controlling traffic throughout the game. Ambulances and lifeguards supported by Dankook University Hospital, Saerana Hospital, and Chungmu Hospital mainly checked the health of players in various places.안전놀이터
Jonghyun Lee won the men’s half with a time of 1 hour 14 minutes and 28 seconds, and Eunah Kim won the women’s half with a time of 1 hour 27 minutes and 25 seconds. Lee Jae-shik was the first to cross the finish line in the 10km men’s event with a time of 32 minutes and 39 seconds, while Kim Ha-na was the first to cross the finish line in the women’s event with a time of 38 minutes and 03 seconds. Kim Seon-ho won the 5km men’s event with a time of 17 minutes 32 seconds, and Yoo Seung-hwa won the women’s event with a time of 19 minutes 13 seconds.
The finishers were greeted with sparkling mineral water and Lotte Well Food ice cream. Those who finished the event enjoyed noodles and sundae prepared by the members of the Cheonan Volunteer Center of the Red Cross. Coming out of the venue, the players had their hands full of products such as Cheonan Heungtaryeong rice, Aunae mixed grains, Cheonan Seonghwanbae, Sono Belle Cheonan, Asan Spavis, and Paradise Spa Dogo discount coupons.
Student volunteers from Sunmoon University, Cheonan Women’s Sang, Byeongcheon High School, Wolbong High School, Eopseong High School, Cheonan Commercial High School, Cheonan Technical High School, and Mokcheon High School made the competition even more brilliant with the silent sweat shed behind the scenes. Kim Jeong-gyu, head of the Cheonan Asan coverage headquarters of the Daejeon Ilbo, said, “I am grateful to the players who participated in this event and to everyone who worked hard to prepare for the event.”