The sound of running shoes hitting the ground filled Sejong Central Park on Friday, as South Korea celebrated Hangeul Day.
Runners in athletic gear gathered with families, friends and coworkers to stretch and warm up at the starting line. Parents held their children's hands as they took in the crisp autumn air.
They had come for the 2026 Hangeul Run, held to mark the 100th anniversary of the naming of Hangeul Day, originally known as Gagyanal.
This year’s Hangeul Run drew approximately 13,000 runners and 2,000 staff, joined by an additional 5,000 family members, spectators and park visitors, bringing total attendance to nearly 20,000 people.
Co-hosted by Herald Media Group and Sejong City, the annual event has expanded rapidly since it started in 2024 with 7,000 participants. Now in its third edition, the run has established itself as a national festival blending wellness, culture and a celebration of history.
Participants chose between two main courses: a 10.9-kilometer route H and a 5.15-kilometer route — the distances marking Oct. 9, the date of Hangeul Day, and May 15 the day on which the man credited with its invention, King Sejong the Great, was born.
Leaving the central park grounds, runners crossed the iconic Ieung Bridge (Geumgang Pedestrian Bridge) and passed the lush landscapes of the National Sejong Arboretum.
The atmosphere was inclusive and diverse, bringing together competitive athletes pushing for personal records alongside families pacing themselves together. International participants from Malaysia, Indonesia, the US, Canada and beyond also joined, connecting with local residents through the shared experience of the run.
Beyond the track, the park functioned as a lively cultural fairground. Non-running family members enjoyed interactive exhibition booths.
The theme for this year’s run, “Samatda — Hangeul, Reaching the People,” emphasized deep communication and personal connection. Event T-shirts featured a typeface from the Worin Cheongang Jigok, a literary work composed by King Sejong, bringing 600-year-old Korean typography onto modern running wear.
At the opening ceremony, Herald Media Group CEO Choi Jin-young said, “The Hangeul Run, which started with 7,000 participants, has grown into a festival bringing together over 20,000 people. I hope it will continue to be a festival that shares the value of Hangeul with future generations and the world.”
Sejong Mayor Cho Sang-ho welcomed the crowd, encouraging everyone to enjoy the scenic city landmarks safely at their own pace.
Celebrity participants also ran alongside the public. Singer Kim Chang-ryul energized the crowd with an opening musical performance before running the 5.15-kilometer course.
Rapper Sean, who has supported the event since its first edition, highlighted the event’s educational value for families, noting how running together offers parents a natural opportunity to discuss King Sejong and Korean linguistic heritage with their children.
After crossing the finish line, participants and visitors explored the Hangeul Product Expo set up within the park. Vendor booths featured creative lifestyle items, handicrafts and design goods incorporating Korean typography.
Highlights included “Hangla,” which displayed flatware modeled after Hangeul consonants, and “Yeominhyang,” which introduced fragrance items themed around traditional Korean culture. The gathering demonstrated how an athletic event can serve as an accessible celebration of history, culture and community.
By Byun Hye-jin (hyejin2@heraldcorp.com)
