[Herald Business — Park Jong-il, senior reporter]Seoul's Gangdong-gu district office announced it will operate the "Youth Active Challenge Running Crew," a program designed to help young residents build healthy lifestyle habits and maintain regular physical activity.
The program is an after-work nighttime running course led by professional instructors. It was created for young people who struggle to find time to exercise amid busy schedules, giving them a chance to run together after work, build stamina and develop a consistent exercise routine.
To ensure participation goes beyond a one-time experience, each cohort follows an eight-session curriculum structured in progressive stages, allowing participants to steadily improve their running ability.
The program runs in two cohorts. The first cohort began June 29 and continues through July 23, meeting every Monday and Thursday from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The second cohort runs from Aug. 24 to Oct. 19, meeting every Monday from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Each cohort covers eight sessions, for a total of 16 across both.
Sessions are held along Gwangnaru Han River Park and the Godeokcheon walking trail. Under the guidance of professional instructors, participants will learn proper running form and breathing techniques, warm-up and cool-down routines, and step-by-step training methods. The program is designed so participants can take part comfortably at their own fitness level.
The program is open to Gangdong-gu residents or workers employed within the district between the ages of 19 and 39. Thirty spots are available per session on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is open through July 31. For more information, contact the Health Promotion Division of the Gangdong-gu Public Health Center.
Running is one of the most widely recognized forms of aerobic exercise, known to improve cardiovascular endurance, reduce body fat, boost overall fitness and relieve stress. The district said it hopes the program will give young people an opportunity to build sustainable exercise habits in their daily lives and strengthen their awareness of personal health.
A motivation program will also run alongside the sessions to encourage consistent attendance. Participants will track their sessions using a sticker book and receive sports supplies upon reaching cumulative attendance milestones — at 3, 6, 9 and 12 sessions.
"The Youth Active Challenge Running Crew is a program that helps young people build healthy lifestyle habits through regular exercise, even amid their busy daily lives," Gangdong-gu district mayor Lee Su-hee said. "We will consistently operate health promotion programs that reflect the lifestyle patterns and needs of young residents."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
