Seoul Marathon 2026

Seoul Marathon 2026

Seoul Marathon 2026, officially the 2026 Seoul Marathon / The 96th Dong-A Marathon, takes place on Sunday, 15 March 2026, drawing up to 40,000 participants for a fast, iconic race day in the heart of Seoul. Whether you’re chasing a personal best or planning a once-in-a-lifetime running trip to South Korea, this event pairs big-city energy with spring-time travel vibes and an unforgettable start near Seoul’s most historic landmarks.

Seoul Marathon 2026: What Makes It a Bucket-List Race

The Seoul Marathon is one of Asia’s most recognized road races, and the official 2026 event page confirms it returns in March with both a full marathon and a 10 km option. The scale alone creates a major-event atmosphere, with the official participant limits listed at 20,000 marathon runners and 20,000 10K runners for a 40,000 total capacity. For travelers, that size often translates into a lively expo week, international runners, and a city that feels like it’s hosting something important, not just another weekend race.

Seoul is also an ideal marathon destination because it blends modern infrastructure with deep history. You can go from palace gates and traditional markets to sleek neighborhoods and late-night eateries in the same day, which makes the “race trip” feel like a true vacation rather than a single morning event.

Confirmed 2026 Date, Start Times, and Rolling-Start Format

The official Seoul Marathon page confirms the date as Sunday, March 15, 2026. It also confirms a rolling start format, with the marathon starting at 8:00 AM and the 10 km starting at 7:50 AM. The page further notes that both marathon and 10K participants should arrive before 7:00 AM, which is important if you’re staying across town and relying on morning transit.

A rolling start is especially helpful for big events because it spreads runners out and reduces congestion. For visitors, it means you should plan your warmup and bathroom timing around your assigned group rather than assuming everyone moves at once.

Start-Area Planning: Where to Gather in Seoul

The official event information lists the gathering location for the marathon as Gwanghwamun Square (scheduled). It also lists the 10 km gathering location as Jamsil Sports Complex (scheduled). This is a key detail for travel planning because the marathon and 10K are organized differently, and your hotel choice should reflect which race you’re running.

If you’re doing the full marathon, staying with easy access to central Seoul or straightforward transport to Gwanghwamun can reduce race-morning stress. If you’re doing the 10K, being closer to Jamsil can make your morning calmer and let you save your energy for the fun part.

Registration Timeline and Participant Limits (Confirmed)

The official Seoul Marathon page lists the registration schedule as July 1, 2025 (Tue) at 10:00 AM. It also confirms the event’s participant limits: 20,000 for the marathon and 20,000 for the 10K, totaling 40,000. For international travelers, these caps matter because popular races can fill, and booking flights before securing an entry can be risky.

If you want to run the full marathon, treat registration like a time-sensitive travel booking. The combination of a famous city and a large but finite cap is exactly the kind of situation where entries disappear faster than expected.

Overseas Registration Rules and Marathon Qualification (Important)

The official “How to register” page explains that overseas participants can select 10 km, Marathon, or Marathon Gold Package via the “Registration” page of the Dong-A Marathon Club website. It clearly states that the 10 km course is open to everyone and does not require record submission.

For the full marathon, however, the rules are stricter. The same page states that participants who choose the Full Marathon (or Marathon Gold Package) must submit an official record certificate issued within the past two years with a finish time of 4 hours 59 minutes 59 seconds or faster, and warns that if you do not submit the certificate, you may not be able to participate in the full course. For runners traveling from abroad, this is one of the most important details to understand early, because it affects whether you should target the full marathon or choose the 10K instead.

Race-Weekend Vibe in Seoul: What to Do Beyond Running

Seoul is built for high-energy travel. A marathon weekend here is more than bib pickup and bed early, because the city offers endless “support crew” and “runner reward” experiences.

Ideas that fit a Seoul Marathon trip:

• Pre-race: easy walking neighborhoods and a simple, familiar dinner.
• Post-race: warm comfort meals and a low-key evening.
• Extra day: sightseeing at a relaxed pace, especially if your legs are sore.

Seoul’s food culture is also a runner’s dream. It’s easy to find warm bowls, rice-based meals, and quick snacks that work well for carb-loading and recovery, without needing a formal restaurant reservation.

Practical Travel Tips for Seoul Marathon Visitors

A few choices can make your trip smoother:

• Practice early wake-ups before you fly, because the official arrival guidance is before 7:00 AM.
• Prepare documents in advance if you’re attempting the marathon and need to submit a qualifying record.
• Choose accommodation based on your gathering location: Gwanghwamun Square for marathoners or Jamsil Sports Complex for 10K participants.

If you’re traveling internationally, build in at least one extra day after the race. A long flight plus a marathon can leave you wiped, and Seoul deserves time when you’re not rushing.

Pricing and Entry Fees: What Can Be Confirmed

The official pages used here provide key scheduling, capacity, and qualification rules but do not display entry fees for the 2026 race in the accessible text. Because prices may differ by category (10K vs marathon vs packages) and can change during registration phases, it’s best to confirm the current fees through the official registration flow on the Dong-A Marathon Club site when you register.

Verified Information at a Glance

• Event name: 2026 Seoul Marathon / The 96th Dong-A Marathon
• Event category: Road running event (Marathon and 10 km)
• Confirmed date: Sunday, March 15, 2026
• Confirmed gathering locations (scheduled): Marathon: Gwanghwamun Square; 10 km: Jamsil Sports Complex
• Confirmed arrival time guidance: Before 7:00 AM (Marathon & 10 km)
• Confirmed start times: 10 km 7:50 AM (rolling start); Marathon 8:00 AM (rolling start)
• Participant limits (confirmed): 20,000 marathon, 20,000 10K, 40,000 total
• Registration opening (confirmed): July 1, 2025 at 10:00 AM
• Overseas registration (confirmed): Register via Dong-A Marathon Club; choose 10 km, Marathon, or Marathon Gold Package
• Marathon qualification rule (confirmed): Official record within past two years of 4:59:59 or faster required for Full Marathon (and Gold Package)
• Entry fee: Not confirmed in the cited official page text here; verify during official registration

If Seoul has been on your list, make 15 March 2026 the day you experience it at street level, arriving early, taking in the start-line buzz near Gwanghwamun, and running a race weekend that lets you explore South Korea’s capital with the pride and momentum that only a marathon morning can give.