The City of Sejong has announced a strategic partnership with the 2027 Chungcheong Universiade Organizing Committee, linking its flagship cultural and athletic festival—the 2026 Hangeul Run—with the upcoming international sports extravaganza.

Co-hosted by Sejong Special Self-Governing City and Herald Media Group, the Hangeul Run marks its third anniversary this year, establishing itself as one of the region's most prominent cultural, sports, and tourism initiatives. Scheduled for October 9, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Hangeul Day (Korean Alphabet Proclamation Day), the event will take place across the scenic landscapes of Sejong Central Park and surrounding urban landmarks.

Participants can choose between two symbolic courses: the 10.9-kilometer course representing Hangeul Day, and the 5.15-kilometer course commemorating the birth date of King Sejong the Great, the creator of the Korean alphabet. Runners will start from the City Festival Courtyard in Sejong Central Park, winding through the National Sejong Arboretum and the iconic Eungdari (Geumgang Pedestrian Bridge), showcasing the city's modern architecture and natural beauty to visitors from across the nation.

Marking the 300-Day Countdown: The "U-Runner" Initiative

To commemorate the 300-day milestone leading up to the 2027 Chungcheong Universiade, organizers are recruiting 300 special runners known as "U-Runners." This collaborative recruitment bridges linguistic heritage with international athletic solidarity, engaging active social media users, university students, and international residents.

Selected U-Runners are entrusted with several meaningful missions, including wearing official Universiade running caps, participating in the 300-day countdown commemorative event, successfully completing their chosen Hangeul Run course, and sharing promotional verification photos on social media channels. In return for their active engagement, participants receive exclusive Universiade commemorative souvenirs and a 50,000-won local love gift certificate to support Sejong's regional economy.

Applicants with active social media accounts can apply through the official Hangeul Run website (hangeulrun.com). Content creators and digital influencers are prioritized by network scale, while general applicants are selected through a fair random drawing.

Fostering Regional Synergy and Global Exchange

Lee Jae-gang, head of the Hangeul Culture City Division, emphasized the profound significance of the collaboration. He stated that working hand-in-hand with the Universiade Organizing Committee elevates the celebration of Hangeul's centennial milestone while actively promoting a healthy sporting culture. He further expressed aspirations for both events to serve as core drivers of balanced regional development and mutual prosperity across the Chungcheong provinces.

The FISU World University Games, universally known as the Universiade, stands as a premier global multi-sport event uniting student-athletes from over 150 countries. The upcoming 2027 edition is scheduled to take place over 12 days from August 1 to August 12, 2027, jointly hosted by four municipal and provincial governments in the Chungcheong region: Daejeon, Sejong, Chungbuk, and Chungnam. Through collaborative governance and shared infrastructure, the Chungcheong mega-region aims to showcase world-class event management and cultural vibrancy on the global stage.

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