'Marathons should have limits': Litter-strewn roads near Jamsil Station spark outrage

Photos showing roads near Seoul's Jamsil Station blanketed in litter immediately after a marathon spread online, drawing a wave of criticism.

The images were posted Sunday on the online community Bobaedream under the title "The state of the roads near Jamsil Station after the Nov. 1 (Sunday) marathon," quickly igniting controversy.

The photos showed paper cups, coffee-mix packets, Choco Pie wrappers, coffee carriers and plastic bags strewn across several meters of roadside near the station.

Some participants appeared to have tossed used cups directly onto the ground while running, bypassing water stations and trash bins set up along the course.

Rain fell across Seoul on Sunday, raising concerns that storm drains along the route could become clogged with discarded marathon waste.

The person who posted the photos, identified only as A, added a brief comment: "Marathons should be held in moderation."

As the images spread across online communities and social media, users reacted with anger. "This is just a social evil," wrote one. "Absolutely disgusting," said another. Other comments included: "They don't clean up after themselves, they block traffic — why hold these events at all?"; "Please just ban marathons"; "Looks like they're only running to post on social media"; and "They're truly a collective nuisance."