'I couldn't even run 3km — now I'm doing 15': Runners mark Hangul Day in Sejong

"At first I couldn't even run 3 kilometers, but after consistently training I worked my way up to 15."

Lee Won-jin, 35, was describing how much he had changed since taking up running — and he said it at the finish of the 2026 Hangul Run, held Friday at Sejong Central Park. A resident of Jochiwon in Sejong, Lee regularly trains at the Sejong Citizens' Stadium. What once felt impossibly far has become routine.

For Lee, the Hangul Run was more than a race. "When you say Sejong, you think of King Sejong, and hangul is the symbol of Sejong — so a run held here carries real meaning," he said. He added that he only learned after registering that this year marks the 100th anniversary of "Gagya Day," the precursor to the modern Hangul Day holiday.

The runners who gathered for the event had arrived for different reasons. Some came to test fitness they had built up over months; others simply wanted to spend Hangul Day in a meaningful way. Some were chasing personal records; others cared only about finishing. What they shared was the chance to celebrate the holiday together.

A worker in his 30s who had come down from Seoul said he appreciated the course's natural setting. "It felt great to get out of the crowded city and run while looking at nature," he said. "Seeing people of all ages running together and cheering each other on gave me energy."

Foreign participants also drew attention. Runners in their 20s through 40s from Malaysia, Indonesia, the United States, Canada and other countries made their way to Sejong for the event. Speaking different languages, they nonetheless crossed the starting line together to mark Hangul Day.

Sejong resident Heo Jeong-geol, 43, has run in every Hangul Run since the inaugural edition in 2024, making this his third consecutive year. He came again with his nieces and nephews, and said the joy of running together mattered more to him than his finishing time. He runs at his own pace in everyday training too, never fixating on the clock.

Heo also welcomed changes to the course. "The old route went back and forth between the lake park and the central park, but now it extends all the way to Ieung Bridge, which makes for a proper run," he said. He said the event's organization has improved year on year, though he noted with some disappointment that fewer portable toilets were available this year than last.

Family members who did not run were very much part of the day. Eight-year-old Jeong Ji-won came to the venue with her mother and younger sibling to cheer on her father. Rather than running the course herself, she explored the festival grounds with her family while waiting for him to finish. When he crossed the line, she and her sibling took a commemorative photo with him.

The Hangul Run made for a special day not only for those who ran but for the families cheering them on. While participants pushed toward the finish line, relatives waited there to celebrate, snapping photos and building memories together.

Performers on stage also shared in the spirit of the run. Singer Kim Chang-yeol completed the 5.15-kilometer course himself after finishing his set. "I'm proud to be running like this on the 100th anniversary of Hangul Day," he said. "Getting to perform on stage and connect with the participants — it's a day I'm grateful for and truly happy about."

Kim described running as a personal challenge. "Running means constantly challenging yourself," he said. "Don't be afraid — take on the challenge, but stay safe and make it a happy memory."

Comedian Kim Hye-seon, who led participants in a pre-race stretch, said she was struck by the turnout. "I've been to a lot of marathon events, but I was genuinely surprised to see this many people," she said. "It's an honor to be part of such a meaningful day — and honestly, I had the most fun of anyone."

Singer Shawn, who has been involved with the Hangul Run since its first edition, said he was moved by the event's family dimension. "It was meaningful because families could run together and talk to their children about how remarkable King Sejong and hangul are," he said. He added that he hopes to return next year, schedule permitting.

As the event has grown, some participants called for operational improvements. Several said the wait for commemorative photos was too long. "Some of my friends waited an hour and still couldn't get their photo taken," one participant said, suggesting the organizers adopt QR codes or automatic recognition technology to speed up the process.