About The 2027 MBN Naju Marathon — what makes it special
ABOUT THE RACE
A day you'll remember, long past the finish line.
The 2026 MBN National Naju Marathon will be held at Naju Sports Park in Jeollanam-do on Sunday,
October 11, 2026, featuring various events including 5km, 10km, half marathon, and full marathon.
The road to your own record
Picture the course in advance and find the pace that fits you.
When the city cheers
Streets lined with cheers, runners all around. You'll be part of that scene.
The trip that follows the run
Take it slow with the finish still in you, and meet the city all over again.
The 2027 MBN Naju Marathon runner reviews and race reports
Stories from runners who've been there.
From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.
Race reports: 5
양모이Ran in 2025 · Finish time 4:57:24
“It was a dramatic finish for me.”
The runner finished their first full marathon in 4:57:24. From 23K onward, they alternated between walking and running because of cramping, and received help from police officers and other runners in the second half. They missed their four-hour goal, but made it to the finish line.
“That got me through the first cut-off point of my four-consecutive-week full marathon finishes.”
The runner completed the first race of the four-consecutive-week full-marathon challenge. The runner felt the humidity and discomfort in the Achilles tendon, and alternated between walking and running after 28K. A friend gave the runner cola in the second half, which helped the runner keep going.
“Thanks to a final sprint, I finished within 2:20!”
In the runner’s first half marathon, they alternated between walking and running after 12K. Encouraged by their companion and the medical-support runners, they picked up the pace at the end and finished within 2:20. The drop-off point for the return shuttle was far from the car park, which was inconvenient.
“Rather than thinking, "I did it," my first thought was, "I'm just glad it's over."”
The runner entered the full course aiming to finish within four hours, but after 27K they mostly walked because of the heat and pain. According to their own account, they crossed the finish line in 5:08, and their first thought was relief that it was over rather than a sense of achievement.
“I didn't have high expectations for this marathon, but I set a personal record, so I'm simply happy!”
The runner took part in the MBN Naju 10 km again and cut 16 seconds off the previous time. The runner forgot the watch, so the runner followed a runner with a similar pace, and the final uphill was tough. The runner was disappointed with the crowds at the start and the use of the electronic scoreboard.
We translated a short line from each public race report and summarized the experience. Finish times are as stated by the author, and past editions may differ from this year's weather and operations.
See it on video, feel it through their stories.
Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.
The start time and cutoff follow the official announcement (checked 2026.7) — re-check on the official page before entering.
40,000 KRW Full 40,000 KRW / Half 40,000 KRW / 10km 40,000 KRW (all early-bird prices) / 5km Fun Walk 20,000 KRW (elementary, middle, high school, and university students within the district 10,000 KRW) / Half team competition (teams of 3) 120,000 KRW
Naju Sports Park (99 Yeongsangangbyeon-ro, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do). Yeongsan River riverside road area, Korea Association of Athletics Federations official course. 5K·10K·Half·Full each turnaround point
Start/finish = Naju Sports Park (99 Yeongsangangbyeon-ro, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do). Yeongsan River riverside road area, Korea Association of Athletics Federations official course. 5K·10K·Half·Full each turnaround point
Organizer
Naju City · MBN · Maeil Business Newspaper
Participant benefits
Not yet confirmed in the official race guide
From the most recent edition
Finisher medal 2025
Finisher certificate 2025
Bag drop 2025
Changing rooms 2025
This may change for the next edition.
Where and when to collect your The 2027 MBN Naju Marathon race bib
To the start line, step by step.
Pick up your bib, check your wave. So on race morning, you can just run.
From the 2025 edition
Pick up your bib at the expo
The Packet Pickup format for the MBN Nationwide Naju Marathon has not been announced. Bib, the chip, and Naju Love gift certificates will be mailed to you. (The disposable chip does not need to be returned.)
Naju Station (KTX/SRT/ITX high-speed rail) — located directly behind the venue; exits face only the front, so ~800m/~10-min walk around to reach Naju Sports Park
Venue is Naju Sports Park. Race date Oct 11, 2026 confirmed.
Distances: full, half, 10km, 5km, alongside the Naju Yeongsangang Festival (Oct 7-11). One of the more foreign-runner-friendly Korean venues since it sits almost adjacent to a KTX high-speed rail station.
