Kim Hong-min and Kim Ga-i Win Domestic Men's and Women's Titles at Gyeongju International Marathon

Kim Hong-min (Jecheon City Hall) has claimed the domestic men's title at the DongA Ilbo 2026 Gyeongju International Marathon.

Kim completed the 42.195-kilometer course in 2 hours, 19 minutes, and 34 seconds at the Gyeongju International Marathon held today (October 17) across Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, securing the domestic men's championship.

Born in 2004, Kim tasted his first-ever marathon victory in his fourth full-course attempt, setting a new personal best.

Kim expressed his thoughts, saying, "I thought it would be difficult to expect a good record due to the high temperature, but I am honored to even win the championship. Using this competition as a stepping stone, I will grow into a national representative in the future and elevate the status of Korean marathons."

Last year's domestic men's champion Kim Hak-su took second place with a time of 2 hours, 21 minutes, and 35 seconds, followed by Hong Jin-pyo (both from Samsung Electronics) in third with 2 hours, 23 minutes, and 44 seconds.

In the international men's division, Mulugeta Asefa Uma of Ethiopia won the race with a time of 2 hours, 6 minutes, and 56 seconds.

Following a fierce battle near the finish line, Uma edged out second-place Robert Kimutai Ngeno of Kenya (2 hours, 6 minutes, 59 seconds) by a 3-second margin to cross the finish line first.

Third place went to Solomon Timo Suter of Kenya, who clocked 2 hours, 7 minutes, and 5 seconds.

In the domestic women's division, Kim Ga-i (Gimcheon City Hall) took first place with a time of 2 hours, 41 minutes, and 7 seconds.

Kim Ga-i said, "I am extremely happy to win the championship in a competition I prepared hard for. I will continue to dedicate myself to training so that I can further improve my records in the future."

Lee Ji-eun (K-water, 2 hours, 46 minutes, 1 second) and Shim Ha-young (Gimcheon City Hall, 2 hours, 46 minutes, 42 seconds) finished in second and third places, respectively.

(Photo: Courtesy of Korea Association of Athletics Federations, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.