(C) World.s Marathons

BUSAN – The city of Busan is accelerating plans to host its first internationally certified marathon through the heart of the city, following the successful procurement of 300 million won in national funding. The Busan Metropolitan Government announced on Sunday, January 4, 2026, that it secured the budget through a competitive grant program for local government international sports events hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

While the city initially requested 500 million won, the final allocation was adjusted to 300 million won. Officials attribute this adjustment to the projected scale of the event, which is expected to draw approximately 12,000 participants—a relatively modest figure compared to major global marathons. However, sports administration experts noted that the 300 million won figure is still significantly higher than the typical 200 million won allocated to events of similar size, signaling high expectations for Busan’s potential as a sports destination. The city plans to secure additional municipal funds through supplementary budgets to ensure a high-quality event.

The "Bridge Marathon" Concept
The city plans to establish an organizing committee in collaboration with the Busan Athletics Federation to finalize the route and registration details. The theme of the marathon will be "The Bridge Marathon," designed to highlight Busan’s identity as South Korea’s maritime capital. Unlike traditional urban marathons, the course will feature the city’s iconic coastal bridges, including the Gwangan Bridge, offering runners a unique panoramic view of the ocean and the skyline.

Strategic Scheduling
To comply with the requirements for utilizing the national budget, the city aims to hold the event no later than December 2026. While a specific date has yet to be finalized, December is currently the most likely candidate.

"Major domestic marathons are concentrated in October and November," a city official explained. "We are carefully selecting a date in December to allow participants sufficient recovery time from previous races and to ensure optimal preparation for this new international event."

Boosting Global Sports Tourism
In addition to the marathon, Busan has also secured 160 million won in national funding to host the 2026 Busan International Men’s and Women’s Sabre Junior & Cadet Fencing World Cup. The combination of these two major events is expected to bring a significant influx of international athletes and tourists to the region.

Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon expressed his ambition to transform the city into a global sports hub. "Building on the success of last year’s 'Seven Bridges Tour,' we will develop the Busan International Marathon into a world-class sports tourism product that showcases the unique charms of our maritime city," Park said.

The upcoming marathon is expected to serve as a cornerstone for Busan’s strategy to integrate urban sightseeing with professional athletics, further elevating the city's brand on the international stage.

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