(Photo by Seoul Metropolitan Government/courtesy of haps Magazine Korea)
Seoul is introducing a new nighttime running program that combines fitness, riverside scenery, and local businesses with the launch of the Yangjaecheon Moonlight Run on August 28.
Organized with the 7979 Seoul Running Crew, the event will take participants on a 5.8-kilometer course along Yangjaecheon and Yeouicheon, allowing runners to enjoy Seoul’s illuminated waterfront after sunset.
The inaugural event features a unique sauna-themed concept, with participants receiving novelty items such as sauna locker key tags and towel-style headbands. Organizers hope the theme will add a fun twist to the evening while encouraging residents to stay active during the summer months.
The program also aims to support nearby businesses. Finishers will receive coupons that can be used at participating shops along Yangjaecheon, and a photo contest with additional prizes will encourage runners to share their experience online.
To ensure safety, runners will be divided into staggered starting groups, with pace leaders and medical staff accompanying participants throughout the course.
Registration opened at 2 p.m. on August 11 through the Seoul Public Service Reservation website and Dongma Club. Participation is limited to 300 people on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Moonlight Run is the first event in Seoul’s new nighttime running project, with additional programs planned to connect outdoor recreation, waterfront spaces, and local commercial districts. Meanwhile, the 7979 Seoul Running Crew continues to host free weekly runs every Thursday evening through the end of October in Gwanghwamun, Banpo, and Yeouido.