CULTURE · EVENTS
Seoul Marathon Closes Gwanghwamun to Olympic Park Roads Sun. Nov. 1, Start 7:30 a.m.
Why NOW picked itRead this if you planned to drive near Gwanghwamun, Jongno or Jamsil on Sunday morning. Sejong-daero closes from 4 a.m., so take the subway.
The JTBC Seoul Marathon starts tomorrow, Sunday Nov. 1, at 7:30 a.m. in Gwanghwamun Square. Sejong-daero is closed to cars from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m., and roads along the course through Jongno, Euljiro and Jamsil stay closed past 1 p.m.
7:30 a.m. start at Gwanghwamun Square
The full marathon (42.195 km) runs from Gwanghwamun Square to Olympic Park. The 10 km runs from Sangam World Cup Park to Yeouido Park.
About 35,000 people take part, 30,000 runners plus 5,000 staff. Both races start at 7:30 a.m.
Sejong-daero closes at 4 a.m.
Seoul police say vehicles cannot use the Sejong-daero area around the start from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. Jongno and Cheonggyecheon-ro are closed 7:46 to 10:29 a.m.
The Sinseol-dong Station, Gunja Bridge, Jamsil Bridge and Olympic Park stretch is closed from 7:54 a.m. to 1:35 p.m. The city's own notice puts the full-course closure at 7:20 a.m. to 1:54 p.m., so the two announcements end at slightly different times.
The 10 km starts earlier
The 10 km route between Sangam and Yeouido is closed from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. In front of Sangam World Cup Stadium it is 5 to 9 a.m.; around Yeouido Park, 6 to 11 a.m.
The route passes Hapjeong Station, Yanghwa Bridge, Nodeul-ro and Yeoui 2 Bridge, so expect detours on the west side of the Han River on Sunday morning.
Buses detour, the subway is safest
City buses that pass through closed sections are rerouted. 1,825 police officers will be on duty, and the city and police ask people to use public transport.
Detour times per bus route are listed on the race's official site (marathon.jtbc.com/65). In a hurry, call the 120 Dasan Call Center.
If you go to watch
The Gwanghwamun start is busiest around 7:30 a.m., and City Hall and Jongno around 8 a.m. when the leaders pass. To cross the course, use an underpass or footbridge before the closures end.
If you have other plans in central Seoul that day, travel by subway in the morning and keep anything that needs a car for after 2 p.m.
Sources & context
2026-10-31T00:22:33.478Z
Seoul Metropolitan Government ↗Financial News ↗Wikimedia Commons ↗Wikimedia Commons ↗Photo credit
hojusaram (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 2.0Runners in central Seoul (Seoul International Marathon, March 2008; not a photo of this JTBC race). hojusaram / CC BY-SA 2.0. Wikimedia Commons
Runners packed at a start line (Seoul International Marathon, March 2014; not a photo of this JTBC race). Capt. Kelly Pickett / public domain. Wikimedia Commons
Big-night stay & last train
Rooms by KSPO Dome (Olympic Park) go first on big event nights. Neighbourhoods one direct train away:
- 8Jamsil1 stop · no transferLOTTE HOTEL WORLD ›
- 5Dongdaemun14–15 stops · no transferSotetsu Hotels The Splaisir Seoul Dongdaemun ›
- 9Gangnam (Eonju · Sinnonhyeon)10–11 stops · no transferDormy Inn SEOUL Gangnam ›
- 24 hoursMissed the last trainGangbyeon SpalandNo room, or missed the last train? ›
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