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50-Years-Old Marathoner Seizes Dong-A Best Runner’s Award

50-Years-Old Marathoner Seizes Dong-A Best Runner’s Award

Posted December. 15, 2007 03:36,   

한국어

“It is the greatest honor of my life.”

Marathoner Kim Yeong-guk (50, Daejeon Jung-gu District Office) smiles with joy as he received the best runner’s award in the Dong-A Marathoners Award ceremony held on December 13.

He was the best among the eight winners from the four Dong-A Ilbo sponsored marathon races this year. To foster grassroots participation in marathons, Dong-A Ilbo holds the Seoul International Marathon in March, and the HiSeoul, Baekje Keungil and Gyeongju International marathons in the fall every year. The eight finalists were selected based on their record over a full race, and Kim seized the best runner’s award.

He had a time of 2 hours 47 minutes 25 seconds in the Seoul International Marathon and finished the Gyeongju International Marathon in 2 hours 27 minutes 10 seconds. Kim set his best records at the two marathon competitions.

The selection committee, comprised of five marathon experts under the Dong-A Marathon secretariat, made the decision to award the grand prize to Kim.

Kim first entered the marathon arena in March 2005. Within eight months, he ran a full course with a record of 2 hours 51 minutes 22 seconds, achieving what is regarded as a ‘dream record’ by marathoners: a ‘sub-three’ (running a full course within three hours). With this record, he is spoken of with the respect given legends in Daejeon.

Kim, who runs from 4:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. everyday before he goes to work, said, “I will continue to work hard to be able to receive the best runner’s award again next year.”

Other runners awarded for their excellence in different age ranges include, Yun Yong-un (64, male); Hahm Chan-il (45, male); Lee Beom-il (36); Kim Yeong-bok(28); Ha Gwi-ok (55, female); Kim Young-hee (43); and Kim Ae-yang (38).



yjongk@donga.com