Blackyak, a premium outdoor brand, successfully concluded ‘Blackyak Trail Run Jeju 50K’, Korea’s representative trail running 대회 hosted by the brand, on April 25th in the Yak Village area of Jeju. Over 1,000 runners challenged their limits amidst Jeju’s beautiful 비경, savoring the joy of completion, and beyond mere 대회, it created a platform for the spread of a healthy outdoor 문화.
A Feast of Trail Running Unfolding in the 비경 of Jeju
Launched in 2023, ‘Blackyak Trail Run Jeju 50K’ has established itself as Korea’s representative trail running 축제, sharing the values of learning and challenge while running through Jeju’s mountains, forests, and unpaved terrain. This particular 대회 garnered immense interest, with registrations closing within an hour of opening, and over 1,000 trail runners from across the country enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Hallasan as they ran the course.
Participants chose one of two courses, 50K or 25K, according to their skill and condition. Finishers were awarded UTMB Index points and International Trail Running Association (ITRA) points, enabling them to qualify for the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB), a dream stage for trail runners worldwide, thus providing a stepping stone for international achievement beyond a simple domestic 대회.
Notably, at this year’s event, the second cohort of ‘BYN RUN 2 LEARN’, a running crew for visually impaired individuals sponsored by the Blackyak Kangtae-sun Sharing Foundation, participated in the 25K course, bringing a deep sense of inspiration. This conveyed the message that the values of challenge and achievement can be shared by everyone, further enriching the meaning of the 대회.
Runners’ Brilliant Completions Beyond Limits and 성장
The participants’ remarkable fighting spirit and outstanding skills shone through at this event. Particularly in the men’s 50K, Lee Kyu-ho, the winner of the previous 대회, crossed the finish line with an overwhelming record of 5 hours, 16 minutes, and 35 seconds, securing first place. In the women’s category, Min So-yeon completed the race in 7 hours and 33 seconds, winning the championship and receiving much applause.
Winners received an extraordinary benefit: the opportunity to participate in the ‘Yantu Trail Running 대회’ to be held in Yanbian, China, this September, along with full support for 항공 and 숙박 expenses. Additionally, 50K finishers received a completion medal and a specially produced jacket, while 25K finishers received a completion medal. All participants who completed the race wearing Blackyak products were also given a lightweight folding cup, celebrating their achievement.
A 축제 Beyond 대회, Diverse Participation Programs
The ‘Blackyak Trail Run Jeju 50K’ garnered attention by significantly expanding various on-site programs that support participants’ performance improvement and recovery, going beyond merely a running race. The day before the 대회, a race operation 전략 class by Lee Kyu-ho, a top domestic trail runner and Blackyak ambassador, and an Ultra Trail Run class by Blackyak Sherpa Kim Kyung-soo, were held. This allowed participants to directly hear the vivid experiences and practical know-how from experts and receive customized coaching to prepare for the 대회.
On the day of the 대회, various participatory programs were operated, including a trial event booth where participants could directly wear Blackyak’s high-performance trail running shoes, ‘Sky Arrow D TR’, and participate in the 대회. After the race, a beer party was held to encourage each other’s challenges and strengthen the outdoor community, heating up the atmosphere. Rapper Sleepy and a DJ provided celebratory performances, and Terra beer was also available, supporting participants in enjoying the event even more richly. The next day, all schedules successfully concluded with a recovery session with experts, and the program structure, encompassing the entire process from 대회 preparation to recovery, received great acclaim from participants.
One participant commented that it was meaningful to run along the slopes of Hallasan and encounter the 비경 of Jeju up close. They felt a great sense of accomplishment by focusing on themselves beyond records and completing the race, gaining courage for future challenges. Kang Tae-sun, Chairman of BYN Blackyak Group, emphasized the value of a trail running 축제 through this 대회, where one can experience the joy of challenging one’s limits and growing amidst 비경. He added that the group would continue to strive to spread a healthy outdoor 문화 through differentiated programs.
