What is the Busan Marathon elevation profile?

The Busan Marathon has 150 metres of total climbing and 140 metres of descent over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). The course is rolling with moderate climbs, with 10 metres of net climb from start to finish.

How long is the Busan Marathon?

The Busan Marathon is the standard marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres (26.2 miles), certified to World Athletics rules. Coastal course starts near Busan City Hall or Haeundae and finishes at the Gwangalli Beach festival area.

What time does the Busan Marathon start?

The 2027 Busan Marathon starts at 8:30 am local time on Sunday, 10 January 2027. Arrive early for baggage drop and corral access — official race communications on www.busanmarathon.co.kr/ confirm any last-minute schedule changes.

Does the Busan Marathon pass Haeundae Beach?

Yes. The coastal course passes Haeundae Beach, Korea's most famous beach, and continues along the East Sea shoreline to Gwangalli Bridge.

Is the Busan Marathon hilly?

The coastal route has rolling terrain with moderate climbs on headland roads between beaches. It is hillier than flat inland Korean marathons like Daegu.

What landmarks are on the Busan course?

Haeundae Beach, Gwangalli Bridge with its nightly light show, and the Busan Cinema Centre (host of the Busan International Film Festival) are highlights.

What is Busan weather like in January?

January in Busan is cold winter weather, often 0–8 °C (32–46 °F) with sea breezes. Dress warmly for the start and expect wind along the coast.

Busan Marathon

Busan, Busan, South Korea

Overview

The Busan Marathon draws approximately 15k finishers each January through South Korea's second-largest city and premier port. The course passes Haeundae Beach, Gwangalli Bridge, and the Busan Cinema Centre on a coastal loop along the East Sea. January's crisp Korean winter and sea-breeze scenery make it the country's largest winter marathon.

Busan Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.

Busan Marathon 2027 race day

The next Busan Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, 10 January 2027 with a 8:30 am start. The certified course covers 42.195 km (26.2 miles) with 150 m of climbing on a rolling with moderate climbs layout.

Busan Marathon course route

The Busan Marathon is a scenic coastal road that starts near Busan City Hall or Haeundae and finishes at the Gwangalli Beach festival area. The loop follows the coastal road past Haeundae Beach, crosses Gwangalli Bridge, and passes the Busan Cinema Centre. Flatter corridors and river valleys offer the easiest miles, while the moderate climbs through hills, bridges, or bluffs are the tougher sections once fatigue builds. Spectators gather along the waterfront, at the start-finish festival, and at organised cheer stations on the most scenic coastal stretches.

Busan Marathon elevation profile

The Busan Marathon course is rolling with moderate climbs over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 150 metres of climbing and 140 metres of descent, with a net climb of 10 metres from start to finish.

Entry requirements

The Busan Marathon is held in January, typically on the second Sunday. Registration is through https://www.busanmarathon.co.kr/.

Busan Marathon course video

Race-day footage from the course to help you picture the route, crowds, and key landmarks on marathon day.

Busan Marathon _ 5 Km Run _ Best Run Course Event #Sarvesh

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Busan Marathon elevation profile?: The Busan Marathon has 150 metres of total climbing and 140 metres of descent over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). The course is rolling with moderate climbs, with 10 metres of net climb from start to finish.
How long is the Busan Marathon?: The Busan Marathon is the standard marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres (26.2 miles), certified to World Athletics rules. Coastal course starts near Busan City Hall or Haeundae and finishes at the Gwangalli Beach festival area.
What time does the Busan Marathon start?: The 2027 Busan Marathon starts at 8:30 am local time on Sunday, 10 January 2027. Arrive early for baggage drop and corral access — official race communications on www.busanmarathon.co.kr/ confirm any last-minute schedule changes.
Does the Busan Marathon pass Haeundae Beach?: Yes. The coastal course passes Haeundae Beach, Korea's most famous beach, and continues along the East Sea shoreline to Gwangalli Bridge.
When is the Busan Marathon?: The Busan Marathon is held in January, typically on the second Sunday. Registration is through https://www.busanmarathon.co.kr/.
Is the Busan Marathon hilly?: The coastal route has rolling terrain with moderate climbs on headland roads between beaches. It is hillier than flat inland Korean marathons like Daegu.
What landmarks are on the Busan course?: Haeundae Beach, Gwangalli Bridge with its nightly light show, and the Busan Cinema Centre (host of the Busan International Film Festival) are highlights.
What is Busan weather like in January?: January in Busan is cold winter weather, often 0–8 °C (32–46 °F) with sea breezes. Dress warmly for the start and expect wind along the coast.

Last updated 18 July 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.

Nearby Marathons

Other races closest to Busan.

Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang, South Korea· 84 km away

Gyeongju Marathon

The Gyeongju Marathon attracts approximately 3,156 finishers each October through Korea's ancient Silla dynasty capital — an open-air museum of temples and royal tombs. The course passes Bulguksa Temple approach, Cheomseongdae Observatory, and Anapji Pond on flat Gyeongju basin roads. October's mild Korean autumn and UNESCO heritage scenery make it one of the country's most culturally distinctive marathons.

Next race: Sunday, 25 October 2026

Daegu, Daegu, South Korea· 94 km away

Daegu Marathon

The Daegu Marathon attracts approximately 28k finishers each April through South Korea's third-largest city in the humid southeast. The course passes the Suseongmot Lake, Daegu Stadium, and the Geumho River parklands on a flat loop through the textile capital of Korea. April cherry-blossom season and mild temperatures make it one of the country's largest spring marathons.

Next race: Sunday, 4 April 2027

Pohang, North Gyeongsang, South Korea· 107 km away

Pohang Marathon

The Pohang Marathon attracts approximately 5,000 finishers each October through South Korea's steel-city port on the East Sea. The course passes Hwanho Park, the POSCO steelworks waterfront, and the Homigot sunrise square area with coastal views. October's mild Korean autumn makes it a popular regional race on the southeast coast.

Next race: Sunday, 25 October 2026

Fukuoka, Fukuoka, Japan· 210 km away

Fukuoka Marathon

The Fukuoka Marathon draws approximately 10k finishers each November on an urban to coastal road in Fukuoka, Japan. It is Fukuoka's large citizen marathon and should not be confused with the separate elite international race. The course passes Tenjin, seaside roads, and long views across Hakata Bay before the coastal finish. Tenjin, seaside roads, and long Hakata Bay views carry Fukuoka's large citizen marathon toward a coastal finish on a largely level urban-to-sea route.

Next race: Sunday, 1 November 2026

Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi, Japan· 216 km away

Shimonoseki Kaikyo Marathon

The Shimonoseki Kaikyo Marathon draws approximately 9,000 finishers each November on a harbor road in Shimonoseki, Japan. The narrow strait setting gives the race a dramatic maritime character from start to finish. The course passes Kanmon Strait waterfronts, fishing-port districts, and repeated sea views toward Kitakyushu. Kanmon Strait waterfronts and fishing-port districts rise and fall beside repeated sea views toward Kitakyushu across the narrow channel.