Seoul is starting to accept participants for the ‘2nd Slow and Easy Han River Triathlon’ to be held at Ttukseom Han River Park from May 30 to June 1. This event, organized for the second time following last year, is a non-competitive sports festival incorporating swimming, cycling, and running.
In its inaugural year, the festival recorded 630,000 visitors, drawing significant attention. Due to the high popularity, with pre-registrations closing on the day they opened last year, there is a high possibility of early closure this year as well. Therefore, citizens wishing to participate in the morning events over the weekend are advised to register quickly.
Registration will begin at 2 PM on the 26th via Naver Reservations, with a participation fee of 30,000 won. The events operate in two time slots: from 9 AM to 11 AM and from 1 PM to 5 PM. For participants in the 1-kilometer swimming event, a full-body wetsuit from a sports brand can be rented for a fee of 20,000 won.
To enhance accessibility for foreign participants, Seoul City has prepared a special event. The first 200 participants who register via Naver Reservations together with a foreign participant will receive commemorative gifts such as picnic mats, sports bottles, and experience vouchers for Han River water sports. Foreigners can register independently through Triple Korea.
Swimming, cycling, and running will be managed as part of a single course, designed for different fitness levels: beginner (15 kilometers) and advanced (31 kilometers). Medals will be awarded for each category.
The swimming event consists of a 200-meter and 300-meter course for beginners, and a 1-kilometer course for advanced participants, which runs from the south to the north side of the Jamsil underwater dam. Participants may use personal equipment such as fins, tubes, and life jackets, while children under 13 can only join the 200-meter course within the outdoor pool.
The cycling event involves a 10-kilometer course for beginners and a 20-kilometer course for advanced participants. Participants in the 1-kilometer swimming event can seamlessly transition to cycling without additional movement. Seoul’s public bicycles, Ddareungi, will provide 2,000 bikes for participants without their own bicycles.
The running event is divided into a 5-kilometer course for beginners and a 10-kilometer course for advanced participants. The course starts at Ttukseom Han River Park, goes around Olympic Bridge, and past Gwangjin Information Library to the Guri Citizen Stadium. Participants can walk or take breaks during the event, with an expected finish time between 40 to 80 minutes.
Seoul City has expanded citizen participation programs to ensure that even non-competitive participants can enjoy the event. Various activities, including Han River sports day, Seoul Citizen Fitness Challenge, and unique water sports experiences, are available, with some requiring a fee.
The popular citizen fitness challenge and Han River treasure hunt program from last year will also return. A promotional booth for ‘Hand Doctor 9988’ will offer guidance on health-related apps and loyalty points for public health improvement.
A variety of performances will be held during the festival period. In collaboration with Sejong Center and Seoul Sports Council, Seoul City is planning performances combining sports and culture.
Given the large scale of participants, Seoul City is committed to ensuring safety management. Adequate water safety personnel and event staff will be deployed, and collaboration with fire departments and medical institutions will enable quick response in emergencies.
Gu Jongwon, Director of Seoul’s Tourism and Sports Bureau, stated, “The Slow and Easy Han River Triathlon is becoming a representative sports and health festival for Seoul. Especially this year, with special events encouraging foreign participation, we look forward to active participation from many citizens and foreigners.”