Yonhap trail run invites participants to explore UNESCO site

HANAM, South Korea, Oct. 29 (Yonhap) -- An international trail run event set to be co-hosted by Yonhap News Agency, South Korea's key wire service, will allow participants to run along a historic mountain fortress inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, organizers said Thursday.

The Yonhap News Hanam International Trail Run Festival, scheduled for Dec. 12 and 13, will include Namhansanseong, a UNESCO World Heritage site celebrating its 400th anniversary this year, in its 28-kilometer course, according to the organizers.

The fortress, completed in 1626 during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), is considered essential architecture that captures the fortification technology of East Asia. It is also a historic site that served as a key shelter during the invasion by China's Qing Dynasty.

Participants of the 28km course will begin their run at the Misa Boat Race Park before entering the mountain course that features a dense forest of old pine trees and a fortress road that sprawls across steep hills.

A panoramic view that shows the Han River and the skyline of Seoul will await participants after a strenuous course that runs through dirt roads and stone stairways.

Meanwhile, the 15km course will feature the landmark Mount Geomdan, sitting 657 meters above sea level.

The mountain, featured in myths as a place where hermits practiced spiritual training, offers a panoramic view of the Han River and Paldang Lake.

While the first half of the course consists of steep stone roads and wooden stairs, the course descending from the peak offers a more relaxed run through a metasequoia-lined road.

The courses for the trail run were designed by Hwang Young-cho, the 1992 Olympic men's marathon gold medalist. Hwang has said he tried to include various elements, such as the lake, river, forest and fortress, for participants to fully enjoy the trail run.

"The experience of running alongside Namhansanseong, which marks its 400th anniversary, and the magnificent mountain of Geomdan is something that only the Hanam Trail Run can offer," an official from the organizing committee said.

Registration for the event runs through Nov. 27 at https://yhitf.co.kr (Korean site) or https://en.yhitf.co.kr (English site). The event is open to the first 5,000 applicants.

The festival will be held over four courses: a 5-kilometer road course (1,000 applicants), a 10km road course (2,000), a 15km trail run course (1,000) and a 28km trail run course (1,000).