Seoul Marathon

Entry is open but first-come, first-served, and you must submit a qualifying marathon certificate showing a sub-5:00 finish within the past two years. Registration opens in early July and typically sells out within minutes, so be ready to register the moment it opens.

Yes, the Seoul Marathon is a Boston qualifying race. You need to meet the BAA's standard for your age and gender, and the flat, fast course gives you a legitimate shot at it.

The time limit is five hours. Note that you also need a sub-5:00 qualifying certificate just to enter, so the entry standard and the race cutoff are effectively the same.

The course is almost entirely flat. It runs point-to-point with a slight net downhill and a highest point well under 200 feet above sea level. There are no meaningful climbs to plan around.

Expect a cool to cold start, typically in the mid-30s Fahrenheit, warming into the upper 40s by midday. A throwaway layer for the corral is a good idea. Mid-March generally offers good running conditions, though wind can be a factor on exposed sections of the course.

The race starts at Gwanghwamun Plaza in central Seoul and finishes inside Jamsil Olympic Stadium in the southeast of the city. Staying near the stadium makes post-race transit straightforward via Seoul's subway Lines 2 and 8.

No, the Seoul Marathon course is not USATF certified. It is measured and certified under international standards, but USATF certification applies specifically to courses in the United States.