Seoul Marathon Race Prep

Seoul International Marathon: a flat point-to-point course in Seoul. Pacing by section, fueling, and race-day tips.

Use TrainPace to plan a simple, repeatable strategy for Seoul Marathon: pacing targets, fueling basics, and course/elevation awareness.

Pace calculator: training zones + race pace
Fuel planner: carbs/hour + gel timing
Elevation analysis: hills, grades, and difficulty

How to prepare for Seoul Marathon

Plan pacing, fueling, and course strategy for Seoul Marathon using free calculators and GPX elevation analysis.

Pick a realistic goal time: Use a recent race result or time trial to set a starting point.
Set training paces: Calculate easy, tempo, threshold, and interval paces for your training block.
Build a fueling plan: Estimate carbs/hour and gel timing that you can practice in long runs.
Review course elevation: Upload a GPX to spot key climbs and decide where to adjust effort.

Seoul International Marathon course guide

The Seoul International Marathon, also called the Dong-A Ilbo Seoul Marathon, is held in March. It runs point to point through the city centre from Gwanghwamun Plaza to the Jamsil Sports Complex. A race listing describes the course as flat, fast and certified by World Athletics.

Seoul International Marathon at a glance
Fact	Value
Location	Seoul, South Korea
Distance	42.195 km (marathon)
Usually held	March
Course	flat, point-to-point
Official site	https://seoul-marathon.com/

Course highlights

Start at Gwanghwamun Plaza with Gyeongbokgung Palace behind you
Namdaemun gate
Cheonggyecheon park
Han River crossing near Jamsil
Finish at the Jamsil Sports Complex, used in the 1988 Olympics

Seoul International Marathon pacing strategy

Because the course is described as flat, an even pace is the plan. The start is in the dense city centre, so settle in before the Han River crossing. Keep some energy for the last part near Jamsil.

Pacing by course section
Section	Terrain	Advice
km 0–10	City-centre streets from Gwanghwamun, past Namdaemun	Start at goal pace or slightly slower in the crowd.
km 10–21	Streets in the city centre, including the Cheonggyecheon area	Settle into a steady rhythm.
km 21–35	Roads heading south-east through the city	Hold goal pace and take drinks on time.
km 35–42.2	Roads towards the Han River and the Jamsil Sports Complex	Stay relaxed, then push over the final 3 km.

Fueling notes

The sources I used do not list aid-station positions, so check the official runner guide. March is cool, so drink at regular intervals and take gels about every 40 minutes.

Race-day tips

The start is early in the morning, so plan transport to Gwanghwamun
Check the official site for the current route, as details can change
Dress for cool March weather at the start, then plan to remove layers

Frequently asked questions

Is the Seoul Marathon flat?

A race listing describes it as a flat, fast course certified by World Athletics. No elevation figures are given.

Where does the Seoul Marathon start and finish?

It starts at Gwanghwamun Plaza and finishes at the Jamsil Sports Complex, which hosted the 1988 Olympics.

When is the Seoul Marathon held?

It is held in mid-March.

Facts checked 2026-10 against the sources below. Race details change from year to year — confirm with the official site before race day.

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