Night running event to be held at Bomun Lake Resort on October 31 to commemorate the 1st anniversary of the APEC Summit

Proceeds without traffic control in downtown Gyeongju; restricted to specific sections within Bomun Lake Resort

The "Bomun Night Run with Wally," hosted by Gyeongsangbuk-do Province and Gyeongju City and organized by the Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture & Tourism Corporation, is scheduled to take place on October 31 at Bomun Lake Resort in Gyeongju.

Some 5,000 participants will run through Bomun Lake Resort wearing the iconic striped T-shirts and socks of the global sensation character "Wally" to commemorate the first anniversary of the 2025 APEC Summit.

The course is strictly limited to Bomun Lake Resort, leaving downtown Gyeongju roads unaffected. Traffic control will be implemented on the day of the event from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM, restricted to certain sections of Gyeonggam-ro and Bomun-ro within the resort area. To minimize inconvenience for citizens, bidirectional control sections have been minimized and alternative routes have been secured.

The event kicks off at 3:00 PM at the helipad opposite Gyeongju Expo Grand Park (next to Bodeok-dong Administrative Welfare Center). The assembly area will feature PR and experience booths operated by local businesses in Bomun Lake Resort, food trucks, an APEC 1st anniversary message wall, and a variety of events including a lucky draw for participants.

The run begins at 6:00 PM, operating in two categories: a 10km run and a 5km slow run. A DJ car will accompany the 10km course to cheer on participants with music. Meanwhile, the 5km course features a "Where's Wally?" event to spot performers dressed as Wally, along with an "APEC Legacy Stamp Challenge" exploring six key locations within Bomun Lake Resort, including APEC-related sites.

All finishers across categories will receive a completion package containing a medal, and a podium ceremony will be held for the 1st to 3rd place male and female winners in the 10km category. To grandly cap off the event, 1,000 drones and 3,000 fireworks will light up the night sky over Bomun Lake Resort.

Convenience facilities and transportation options are also arranged for participants. A storage room, changing rooms, and a medical booth will be installed at the venue, and round-trip shuttle buses will run from Gyeongju Station and Gyeongju Intercity Bus Terminal to the site. Two exclusive parking lots for participants will also be operated. Detailed information can be found on the official website (https://wallyrun.kr) or by contacting the operation office (070-7725-6368).

"We aim to transform Bomun Lake Resort—once the grand stage of APEC—into a festival ground where citizens and tourists can run and enjoy together," said Kim Nam-il, President of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture & Tourism Corporation. "We will do our utmost to ensure participant safety and minimize inconvenience to citizens, while making this event a stepping stone for revitalizing night tourism at Bomun Lake Resort."

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]