The 22nd Cheongnamdae Ultramarathon National Championship, an event carrying the aspirations of ultramarathon enthusiasts, will be held on April 11 at Cheongnamdae, the former presidential retreat in North Chungcheong Province.
Hosted by the Cheongnamdae Ultramarathon Organizing Committee, the race has run alongside the history of Cheongnamdae for 23 years since its inaugural edition in 2003. It is widely regarded as the top major event that every ultramarathon runner aspires to enter and finish at least once.
Approximately 900 ultramarathon enthusiasts from across the country will take on the challenge amid the full bloom of spring. Participants will depart Cheongnamdae at 4 p.m. on April 11 and attempt to complete the 100-kilometer course by 8 a.m. the following day. The 16-hour cutoff makes the race an extreme test of both physical endurance and mental fortitude.
The course starts at the main gate of the Cheongnamdae headquarters building, passes through Annae-myeon in Okcheon County, Suhan-myeon and the Hanwha factory in Boeun County, and crosses Pibanryeong Pass before returning to Cheongnamdae. The pristine inland route through North Chungcheong Province is expected to offer participants an experience that goes far beyond a simple race.
The event holds special significance because it starts and finishes at Cheongnamdae, a retreat that former presidents frequently visited for rest and healing. This year's edition is set to draw the largest field in the event's history.
Anticipation is already building over which runner will cross the finish line first and what personal stories of perseverance will emerge from those who complete the course.
To ensure a safe and smooth event, the organizing committee is conducting thorough equipment inspections for nighttime running before the start. The committee has also arranged insurance coverage for the race period, deployed volunteers and safety personnel along the course, and prepared water, late-night snacks, and post-race meals for finishers.
"We see this event as a major opportunity to promote Cheongnamdae, the core hub of Lake Park, to the entire nation," a Cheongnamdae official said. "We will spare no effort in providing full support so that this year's race is a success."