<Photo by KOLON SPORT>

- 1,700 participants gather in Hoengseong, Gangwon Province, for a two-day trail running event focused on memories beyond records

- 35K, 15K, and Vertical races held, with KOLON Athletes competing to elevate the event’s professional caliber

- Post-race recovery, performances, and meals designed for rest and restoration present a new after-race culture

The KOLON Industries FnC Organization (KOLON FnC) announced that its outdoor brand KOLON SPORT successfully concluded KOLON TRAIL RUN 2026, the brand’s first self-hosted trail running event.

Held from April 18 to 19 in Hoengseong, Gangwon Province, the event was designed as part of KOLON SPORT’s strategic push into the trail running market. Extending beyond a simple race into a broader brand experience that continued after the finish, the event was organized as a two-day program. It drew strong interest from runners, with registration closing just 10 minutes after opening.

On the first day, April 18, a total of 1,700 participants ran through the deep forests of Hoengseong across three race categories: 35K Single, 35K Duo, and 15K. Unlike many races that begin in the early morning, the event was scheduled with a more relaxed start time, creating an atmosphere where everyone stayed to celebrate together until the final runner crossed the finish line.

The 35K course started at Welli Hilli Park and passed through Cheongtaesan and Daemisan before continuing to Gyechon-ri, offering runners sweeping views of Hoengseong’s primeval forests and ridgelines. The 35K Duo category, completed by teams of two, emphasized cooperation over competition, with partners pacing themselves together and experiencing the essence of trail running in nature. The 15K course, designed for beginners, also drew attention for allowing participants to experience nature and complete the race at their own pace.

All five trail runners from KOLON Athletes, the official athlete team launched by KOLON SPORT this year, participated in the event: Kim Ji-su, Kim Young-jo, Ahn Ki-hyeon, Yang Joo-ha, and Kang Min-gu, further enhancing the event’s professional caliber. In the race results, Kim Young-jo competed in the 35K Single category and crossed the finish line with an impressive time of 3 hours, 28 minutes, and 13 seconds. He won first place with a commanding performance, finishing more than 40 minutes ahead of the runner-up and drawing admiration from participants and spectators.

The team’s success did not stop there. Kim Ji-su and Ahn Ki-hyeon also took first place in the 15K and 35K Duo categories, respectively, demonstrating the strength of KOLON Athletes as they topped major race categories. With these results, KOLON Athletes further solidified its position as one of Korea’s leading trail running teams.

A defining feature of this year’s event was its focus on what happens after the race, designed not as a simple wrap-up but as an extension of the journey and a culture of its own. Participants recovered through professional care sessions, including taping, sports massage, and sauna, while also enjoying a barbecue meal and live music performances that fostered a deeper sense of connection among runners. Seoul-based local party crew Juliana Nightlife joined the outdoor sound session, heightening the immersive atmosphere. Product experience booths, lucky draws, and other programs also received positive feedback for offering an experience that went beyond the race itself.

On the second day, April 19, the Vertical Race, a special event category, brought the festival to a close. The race took place on an approximately 1.5-kilometer course climbing 300 meters up a steep ski slope. Participants experienced a short but intense challenge, then completed the two-day journey by taking the gondola down from the summit at a relaxed pace.

A KOLON SPORT representative said, “This event was designed to focus on memories rather than records, and on the time and space beyond running itself, allowing participants to recover fully before returning to everyday life. As KOLON SPORT’s unhurried approach to race culture received such a positive response, we will continue to lead new possibilities in trail running culture.”

<Photo by KOLON SPORT>