Hanguk Trail Running: A Brief History.

    The identity of the first person to run in the mountains for sheer pleasure will always remain a mystery. The first people to run in the mountains with the aim of arriving at a destination first will also remain unidentified. As far as the records go, it is likely that King Malcolm Canmore of Scotland (1057-1093) was the first one to organize a race in the hills (Thin, n.d.). Canmore may have organized the races in Braemar to select a postman or for the sole purpose of competition. Braemar is a mountainous village in Scotland (Braemar Heart of the Park, n.d.). The Cairngorm Mountains are now a conservation area and attract tourists with its pristine scenery and wildlife. The perfect grounds for a run.

    It was not until the late 1800s that competition in the mountains become more prominent in Scotland and England. The first races were short compared to the current field. They spanned from two to five kilometers, compared to the average of 24.63km now (Anderson, 2022). Referred to as "fell races" at the time, it was a way for the locals to test their resolve and share their deep connection to the rugged landscapes they called home. There are even records of prize runners competing nude in England (Scott, 2017). A spectator wrote on the Morning Post in 1808, "...I was much surprised at meeting two men, nearly stark naked, running an arc on the foot promenade; they were attended by a great crowd..." Naked trail runs are still possible in England. The BH5K is holding its twenty-first event on May 18.

    Trail running did not arrive in America until a little later. Over a hundred runners gathered for the Dipsea Race (12km, 670m), the first trail race in America on November 19, 1905 (Spitz, n.d.). John Hassard, a high school student, crossed the finish line first (1:02:45) followed by seventy other runners. The Dipsea is still held every year on the first Sunday of June in California. Chris Lundy won the last race in 2024 with the time of 48:10.

    It is difficult to pinpoint the first trail race in East Asia but it may have been the Hakone Ekiden from Japan. Hakone Ekiden (217km, 800m) is a relay race completed by teams consisting of ten runners. Each runner, referred to as "leg," runs an average of 21.71km. The first team to complete the course wins. The first race dates back to 1920 and it is still held annually on January 2 to 3.

    The first trail race in South Korea dates back to 1945 (한국의 산악마라톤역사, 2020). The exact distance of the race could not be found but it did happen in the most iconic mountain ranges in Korea: Bukhansan. The race began from Changuimun and climbed all the way to Baekundae Mountain (836m), which is a distance of ten kilometers with the trails available now. The unidentified winner of the race had the record of 2:23:15. A myriad of races are now held in the Bukhansan National Park, the renowned Seoul100k incorporates the ranges in its grueling twenty-seven hour race (109.04km, 4,777m).

    Trail running has since become somewhat of a sensation in Korea. It would not be an exaggeration to say that there is an event every weekend. Races usually begin from five kilometers and extend all the way up to 42.195km--as anything beyond that is referred to as an "ultra marathon." Korea is endowed with a huge mountain range which stretches from its northern border all the way to Busan. Although the tallest and the most daunting peaks loom on the east coast, smaller mountains are scattered all across the country.

A fine fog settles in Chiaksan. / HTR

    The widespread popularity of the sport is not only due to accessibility. The appeal lies in its simplicity. All you need is a pair of shoes--and some people do not even bother with those! The task is straightforward: Put one foot in front of the other. The mountains, where the activity takes place, offer stunning scenery--flowers bloom in spring, lush greens fill the summer, vibrant foliage in autumn, and misty mornings coat the bare trees during the winter. Perhaps the most captivating part of the sport--paradoxically--is the strain it demands: The toil of traversing the rugged terrain. It mirrors the familiar adage: Life has its ups and downs, but in the end, it is all worth it.

S.G.