The Seoul Marathon is Korea's only World Athletics Platinum Label road race and doubles as the Dong-A Marathon, which the Dong-A Ilbo has staged for nearly a century. World Athletics has also recognised it with a Heritage Plaque. Around 40,000 runners take part across the marathon and the 10K, behind a world-class elite field.
There is no lottery: entry is first-come, first-served, but marathon entrants need an official finish time of 4:59:59 or faster. Korean residents and overseas runners register in separate windows, and the domestic window has sold out within days. For the official entry and all details, head to the Seoul Marathon website.
Key dates
- Registration WindowOpen until full
- Race dayMar 21, 2027
Windows are shown to the month until the organiser confirms them. Subscribers get the exact day, by email, on the morning it opens.
Registration is open right now. Entries for the Seoul Marathon are open as you read this, and windows like this close with little warning. Set up a BibsAlert and we'll email you before it closes, and again the moment the next registration opens.
How to enter the Seoul Marathon
Seoul runs two registration windows, one for overseas runners and one for Korean residents. Both are first-come, first-served.
1. Overseas Registration (First-Come, First-Served)
Runners living outside Korea register on Dongma Club's English site, the race's official registration platform, without signing up on the Korean site. The organiser also lists World's Marathons and RUNNET as registration channels. The marathon entry fee is USD 150. Entries are confirmed in order of payment, and there is no second registration round.
2. Qualifying Record (Marathon Only)
To run the marathon you must be 18 or older and hold an official full marathon finish of 4:59:59 or faster (net time) from the organiser's valid record period. Overseas runners submit the certificate with their name and passport number through the Marathon Record Submission form, and an entry without a record by the deadline may be cancelled. Your record also sets your start group, from A for the fastest to H.
3. Domestic Registration (Korean Residents)
Korean residents register through the Korean Dongma Club site, after a record submission period and a priority window. The main window opens group by group over a few evenings and has sold out within days.
The course
The Seoul Marathon crosses the city from the historic center to the Han River and the Jamsil sports district.
- Start: Gwanghwamun Square
- Finish: Seoul Sports Complex, Jamsil
- Distance: 42.195 km
- Time Limit: 5 hours, strictly enforced because the roads reopen to traffic
The route leaves Gwanghwamun Square, with six centuries of history around it, passes the futuristic Dongdaemun Design Plaza, and crosses the Han River on Jamsil Bridge before the finish at the Seoul Sports Complex. Water and sports drink are served every 5 km, and runners start in groups set by their submitted finish times.
Missed out?
Spots for the Seoul Marathon sell out fast. If you missed this year's window, you still have options:
- Charity & partner entries: Many races reserve guaranteed places with charity partners and official tour operators, even after general entry sells out. Check the official website for partners.
- Try a similar race: Check the related races below for races with similar entry types, dates, or locations.
- Be ready next year: Set up a BibsAlert so you don't miss the moment registration opens.
Questions runners ask
Do I need a qualifying time for the Seoul Marathon?
Yes, for the marathon. You need an official full marathon finish of 4:59:59 or faster (net time) from the organiser's valid record period, and you must be 18 or older. The 10K has no qualifying time.
Is the Seoul Marathon a lottery?
No. Both the overseas and the Korean residents' windows are first-come, first-served, and entries are confirmed in order of payment.
Can I transfer my entry?
No. Entries are non-transferable and cannot be resold. Overseas runners can cancel for a refund until the organiser's refund deadline.
Where do overseas runners collect their race pack?
Race packs are not shipped abroad. Overseas runners collect their bib and race pack in person in Seoul: the organiser's overseas notices point to the Seoul Marathon Expo before race day.
What is the time limit?
5 hours for the marathon. It is strictly enforced because the roads through central Seoul reopen to traffic afterwards.
Looking ahead
Korean residents and overseas runners register in separate windows. The domestic window has sold out within days, while overseas registration has no published closing date and runs first-come, first-served until places run out. Set up a BibsAlert to get notified when the next window opens.