Night run along Gyeongju's Bomun Lake set for October

A stay-and-run event inviting participants to jog against the nighttime backdrop of Bomun Lake in Gyeongju is set to take place this fall.

Sono International will host "Sono Runttrip 180K in Gyeongju" at Sono Calm Gyeongju, located within the Bomun Tourism Complex in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, on Oct. 4.

The Sono Runttrip 180K project links 10-kilometer running courses across 18 Sono Hotels & Resorts properties nationwide. The Gyeongju edition is the fourth installment, following events at Sono Felice Country Club Vivaldi Park East and Ocean World in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province, and Sono Calm Jeju. Themed "Bomun Lake Starlight Race," the event aims to highlight the lake's nighttime tourism appeal and offer runners a full sensory experience of an autumn evening run.

On the day of the event, photo zones and activity booths will open at the outdoor plaza of Sono Calm Gyeongju from 3 p.m. Participants will warm up at 6 p.m. before the night race begins along the Bomun Lakeside Trail at 6:30 p.m. The course follows a flat waterside path with minimal inclines.

The event offers two course options. The general running course covers 9 kilometers, starting from Sono Calm Gyeongju and passing Mulneoul Bridge, Hoban Bridge and Silla Bridge before returning. The pet-friendly course follows a 7-kilometer path along the Bomun Lake walking trail.

An RFID-based automatic timing system will track participants' results and provide real-time finish data. After the race, an awards ceremony and prize draw will offer prizes including Sono Calm Gyeongju accommodation vouchers and Galaxy Watch smartwatches. A performance marking the first anniversary of Sono Calm Gyeongju's reopening after renovation will also be held.

Registration opens on a first-come, first-served basis through the Sono Hotels & Resorts official website and major online travel platforms. Entry includes a race ticket and access to the Sono Calm Gyeongju Wellness Pool & Spa, which was designated a 2026 North Gyeongsang Province wellness tourism destination. Package deals bundling two nights at Sono Calm Gyeongju with entry for two or four people are also available.

All participants will receive a performance T-shirt, a gym bag and an LED accessory. Those running with pets will also receive a leash and an LED light for safety. Finishers will be given a completion medal, an energy kit and a Wellness Pool & Spa voucher.

"We hope participants enjoy the special experience of running while taking in the nighttime scenery of Bomun Lake — a site of historic and cultural significance in Gyeongju, a world-class tourism city with a millennium of history," a Sono International official said. "We will continue to roll out Runttrip projects that combine the distinctive local character of each area where Sono Hotels & Resorts operates with wellness experiences."