Seoul Marathon Season: Road Closures, Safety and CPR

Plenty of travelers in Seoul have stepped out of a hotel near Gwanghwamun or Yeouido on a spring or autumn Sunday morning, tried to grab a taxi, and gone absolutely nowhere. The reason is right there in the middle of the road: thousands of runners. Weekend city races and the closures that come with them are the most visible face of Korea’s running boom.

In autumn 2026, a darker side came into view too. Participants died, one after another, at a half marathon in central Seoul and at a trail race in Gangwon Province, and the question “Are these races safe?” got a lot louder. This is a practical safety guide for both kinds of traveler — the one whose route gets blocked and the one lining up to run — and it keeps what has been confirmed separate from what is still unknown.

Why are Seoul's roads closed on so many weekends?

Because city marathons have multiplied in a very short time. Most start early on a Sunday (sometimes a Saturday or public holiday) from Gwanghwamun, Seoul Plaza, Yeouido or Sangam, and the major roads along the course close section by section for hours.

According to the Korea Herald (November 2025, citing Seoul city data), marathon-related traffic complaints grew dozens of times over in just a few years. Maeil Business Newspaper reported (based on city figures) that on November 9, 2025 alone, seven races ran at the same time in different parts of Seoul.

After Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said in fall 2025 that the city would look at earlier start times and securing detour routes (Korea Herald), the city issued marathon guidelines in January 2026. Here are the key points as reported by Maeil Business Newspaper and the Kyunghyang Shinmun.

📋 Key points of Seoul's 2026 marathon guidelines (January 2026, as reported by Maeil Business Newspaper and Kyunghyang Shinmun)

The guidelines only apply to races the city hosts or sponsors, but all six wide-area closure races the city announced for October 2026 started at 7:30 a.m. In March 2026, Yeouido also launched Swieom-swieom Morning (쉬엄쉬엄 모닝, roughly “take-it-easy morning”), which opens some lanes on weekend mornings for walking and running instead of a competitive race.

🗺️ Where marathon closures hit most often in Seoul (based on city notices)

Where can you check Seoul marathon road closures?

Use the city’s notices to see the “when and where” in advance, then check the police traffic information center and TOPIS for live conditions on the day. The pages are in Korean, but dates, times and place names are all you really need to read.

🔎 Where to check marathon road closures (as of October 2026)

Take the March 15, 2026 Seoul Marathon. The course from Gwanghwamun Square to Jamsil Sports Complex was split into 15 sections that closed in sequence and reopened as soon as the runners passed. The start at Gwanghwamun Square was closed from 5 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., while the area around the finish at the sports complex stayed closed until 2:30 p.m. (city notice). Even within one race, what matters is what time the section you’re in closes.

Check the reopening times too. For the 2026 Seoul Race, the police announced (as reported by the Financial News) that Sejong-daero and Jong-ro would reopen at 9 a.m. and Cheonggyecheon-ro at 11:10 a.m. If you’re planning a morning at Gwanghwamun or Gyeongbokgung, Lines 3 and 5 are the easy way in. For live crowd levels, see How crowded is Seoul right now?

What happened at Korean races this year?

In autumn 2026, one participant died at a half marathon in central Seoul and one at a trail race in Chuncheon. In spring, several runners collapsed in the heat at a race in Paju. Only facts confirmed by two or more outlets are included here, and the names of those who died are not used. Official causes of death have not yet been confirmed.

🕯️ Major incidents at Korean running races, 2025–2026 (based on news reports, as of October 17, 2026)

The Seoul Race was co-hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Dong-A Ilbo, with about 12,000 runners in the half and 11 km events (city notice). In the Chuncheon case, the Sidae Ilbo reported that rescuers reached the scene about an hour after the call — a reminder that ambulances can’t drive straight onto a mountain trail. The Okcheon incident has sometimes been reported with a different date, but cross-checking coverage from the time puts it on November 10, 2025. For ordinary runners, it’s worth remembering that at races with only “partial” road closures, cars and runners can end up sharing the road.

According to iNews24, he also said that “accidents come from chasing records, rankings, greed and pushing too hard,” and that “the standard is your own body.” With the proof-shot culture (인증샷) of posting race times on social media growing alongside the number of runrini (런린이, beginner runners) entering their first races, that combination is exactly what he was warning about. For more on manners, see Korean running etiquette and local rules.

We couldn’t find official statistics on cardiac arrest at Korean races, but the conclusion is the same. It takes three things together: your own judgment to stop, an emergency system at the venue (ambulances and AEDs), and the runner next to you starting chest compressions.

How should a foreign runner prepare for a race in Seoul?

The key is to check your health before you sign up, and on race day to put your body’s signals ahead of your finish time. Add to that a few things specific to Korean races — Korean-language registration, early starts and late-morning heat — and you’re ready.

Registration — it closes months ahead. Popular Seoul races often fill up early by lottery or first come, first served, and many have Korean-only entry pages. The Seoul Marathon, which does run an English site, limits its full course to runners aged 18 and over and asks entrants to have their health checked by a medical provider and decide for themselves before taking part. Its rules also state that the organizers are not responsible for accidents outside the race insurance coverage. If you’d rather just run with others casually, Seoul running crews that welcome foreigners or a Seoul running tour are a lower-pressure option.

Heat — don’t let your guard down, even in October. Even with a start around 7:30 a.m., a half marathon or longer finishes after the sun is high. The mass heat illness at the Paju race in April also happened in early-season heat, with a high of 29°C. Check the temperature the day before with our Seoul weather guide, and if it’s going to be hot, lower your goal.

Water — more isn’t better. Drinking far more than you lose in sweat can cause exercise-associated hyponatremia, a drop in blood sodium. A 2015 international consensus statement (British Journal of Sports Medicine) recommends drinking when thirsty rather than forcing down a set amount. Medical emergencies at races aren’t only cardiac — heat stroke and hyponatremia happen too, and any clouding of consciousness is a danger sign (Kyunghyang Shinmun, citing experts).

During the race — stopping is a skill too. If you get chest pain or pressure, unusual breathlessness, dizziness, palpitations or sudden exhaustion, walk or stop right away and raise your hand to course staff. And when you’re tempted to squeeze out one last push before the finish, remember Hwang Young-cho’s words: the time to stop is “when you could still run a bit more.”

You can find AED locations on E-Gen (e-gen.or.kr), the emergency medical portal run by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Emergency Medical Center, and in its app “응급의료정보제공” (Emergency Medical Information). For ERs, 119 interpretation and hospital bills, see How to use Seoul’s ERs and 119 and our hospital cost guide for foreigners.

Which Seoul-area races are left in fall 2026?

Late October and early November are the last big stretch of the fall season. The list focuses on races confirmed through city notices and official websites, with unconfirmed items marked. On these days, avoid the area around the start or get around by subway.

📅 Major races from October 18, 2026 (as checked on October 17, 2026)

Spring brings its own run of races: the Seoul Marathon in March, the Seoul Half Marathon in April and the Women’s Marathon in May (2026 city notices). When you plan your itinerary, just checking “Is there a race on Sunday morning that week?” will make getting around much easier. If you’d rather run quietly on your own, see Beyond the Han River: Seoul’s city, park and fortress-wall running routes.

Races are the most joyful scene in Korea’s running boom. If you’re the one walking the streets, take the subway. If you’re the one running, bring the courage to stop.