Gwangju Mudeungsan Mountain Mudolgil Race

The 5th Mudeungsan Mudol-gil Completion Festival takes place on Saturday, June 13, 2026, starting at Gwangju Station Square in Gwangju, South Korea. This event offers a full course (51.8 km), half course (13/23/33/43 km), 5-person relay (51.8 km), and a citizen walk (5.18 km) — following the Mudol-gil trail around Mudeungsan Mountain to honor the May 18 Democratic Movement and establish this route as a pilgrimage site for global democratization movements.

Event Logistics & Participant Information:

• Registration Period: January 5 – March 9, 2026 (until 17:00). First-come, first-served.
• Maximum Participants: Full/half/relay – 1,187 runners. Citizen walk – 518 participants. Volunteers – 300.
• Registration Methods: Google Form (https://forms.gle/nLwTQjQcMnBCFYCk7), email ([email protected]), fax (062-443-0815). Phone inquiries: 062-655-0518 or 070-8888-0518.
• International participants: Strongly encouraged and specially prioritized (for future international event elevation).
• Race Pack (Bib & T-shirt): Scheduled to be shipped by mail before race day (subject to change).
• Assemble Time: Full/half/relay participants by 07:00 for 08:00 start. Citizen walk participants by 07:00 for 08:10 start.
• Meeting Point: Gwangju Station Square (limited parking — public transport strongly recommended).
• Full Course Finishing Point: Below Gakjeo Reservoir (arrival by 19:00).
• Citizen Walk Finishing Point: Asia Culture Center (arrival by 10:00).
• Gate Cutoffs: Gate 1 (11:00), Gate 2 (14:00), Gate 3 (16:00), Gate 4 (17:30), Gate 5 (19:00). Missing any gate cutoff results in disqualification (individual race ends).
• Disqualified Runners Recovery Bus: Morning — Gwangju Station. Afternoon — Mudol-gil Symbol Tower (Gakgyo Bridge).
• Aid Stations: 5 locations (approximately every 10 km) — water, ion drinks, snacks (choco pie, bananas, etc.). Meals not provided.
• Organizer: Mudeungsan Mudol-gil Council (사)무등산무돌길협의회).
• Host: Mudol-gil Festival Organizing Committee (무돌길대회행사위원회).
• Co-hosts: KBS Gwangju Broadcasting Station, Gwangju Civic Organizations Council.
• Supporters: Gwangju Metropolitan City, Buk-gu Office, Dong-gu Office, Damyang County, Hwasun County, Korea Railroad Corporation Gwangju Station, Kolping, 518 Memorial Foundation.
• Volunteer Registration: 300 volunteers needed — receive commemorative T-shirt and volunteer certificate.

Swag, Awards & Atmosphere:

• Full/Half/Relay Participants (1,187): Commemorative T-shirt, completion certificate (for finishers), commemorative medal (for finishers).
• Citizen Walk Participants (518): Commemorative T-shirt, commemorative gift (for finishers).
• Volunteers (300): Commemorative T-shirt, volunteer certificate.
• Purpose: To inherit the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Movement spirit and establish the Mudeungsan Mudol-gil 51.8 km course as a global pilgrimage route for democratization movements.
• Course Route: Gwangju Station → Namgwangju Station → Seongyo-dong → Yongyeon Village → Jungji Village → Hwasun Ridge → Mudeungsan Recreational Forest → Ansim Village → Yeongpyeong Village → Mudong Village → Gyeongsang Village → Yeoncheon Village → Geumgok Village → Baeje Village → Deungchon Village → Gakhwa Village.
• Scenic & Cultural: Connects ancient villages along Mudeungsan Mountain. Beautiful natural ecological trail. Preserves the oldest name of Mudeungsan — "Mudol" — with 1,000 years of traditional cultural communication.
• 5.18 Citizen Walk Course: 5.18 historic sites tour — Gwangju Station → Chosun University → Namgwangju Market → Chonnam National University Hospital → Namdong Cathedral → Asia Culture Center.
• Opening Ceremony & Warm-up: At Gwangju Station Square before start. Safety education provided.
• Race Number and Record: Individual timing and gate verification. Disqualification for missed gate passages.
• Special Priority: Foreign participants encouraged for future elevation to international Mudol-gil event status.

The 5th Mudeungsan Mudol-gil Completion Festival on June 13, 2026, in Gwangju, South Korea, is a 51.8 km full course, half options, relay, and citizen walk around Mudeungsan Mountain — carrying the May 18 Democratic Movement spirit and establishing a global democratization pilgrimage route.