Held in Gyeongju from October 31 to November 1 for its 24th event
Operated in three courses: Full Course 165-ri (66㎞), Half Course 75-ri (30㎞), and Healing Course 25li (10㎞)

Gyeongsangbuk-do held the "24th Shilla's Moonlight 165-ri Walking Contest" around the Hwangseong Park Football Park Field 5 and Gyeongju area from October 31 to November 1. Over 3,000 people, including walking enthusiasts and citizens nationwide, participated.

The event is a night walking program that combines historical journeys with walking, inspired by the Manpasikjeok (the legendary flute) tale of King Sinmun, the 31st ruler of Silla, as recorded in Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms). Participants experienced the history of Gyeongju, an ancient capital of a thousand years, alongside the sentiment of an autumn night.

The walking courses are divided into three options according to participants' physical strength and purpose: the Full Course of 165-ri (66㎞), the Half Course of 75-ri (30㎞), and the Healing Course of 25-ri (10㎞). Full course participants stayed up all night to take on the challenge of completing the long-distance trek, while half-course participants enjoyed an autumn night walking journey. Families, couples, and colleagues joined the healing course to admire the night views of historical sites.

Side events, such as photo zones and health promotion programs, were also prepared around the venue and the course routes.

As the event continued for long hours at night, safety management was strengthened. Safety personnel were deployed along each course, and an emergency medical support system was put into operation. Organizers and volunteers handled on-site guidance and course control to help participants finish safely.

Hwang Myung-seok, Administrative Vice Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do, said, "I thank all the participants from across the country who walked together through the autumn night imbued with a thousand years of Silla's history and culture," adding, "We will continue to enhance our night tourism competitiveness by discovering eco-friendly, stay-over tourism contents that link Gyeongbuk's historical and cultural resources with night scenery."

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]