Beating 10,000 Marathon Runners: Altai State University Lecturer Alexander Agishev Runs the Seoul Marathon in 3 Hours and 46 Minutes

On March 15, the Seoul International Marathon took place in Seoul, the capital of South Korea. It holds platinum status in the World Athletics road race category—one of the few marathons worldwide with this distinction. Alexander Agishev, a senior lecturer in the Physical Education Department at Altai State University, participated. This marked his 32nd marathon!

This year, the Seoul Marathon celebrated its 96th event—the second-oldest in the world after Boston. Organizers sold 40,000 slots for the two distances: 20,000 for the 42.2-kilometer marathon and 20,000 for the 10-kilometer race. To manage such a large number of athletes, they used two starting areas with a single finish line. Alexander Agishev shared the details:

"The marathon started in the heart of Seoul—at Gwanghwamun Square, in front of the historic Gyeongbokgung Palace complex—and finished at the Jamsil Olympic Complex in another part of the city. The course ran one-way along the capital's main streets and squares. The 10-kilometer route began and ended at the Olympic Complex, site of the 1988 Summer Olympics. Every year, the Seoul Marathon draws elite runners seeking top results and substantial prize money—many with world-class marathon results and victories in major marathons.

This was my 32nd marathon. I enjoyed the course, the festive atmosphere, and the organization of such a massive event. I'm thrilled with my result: 3 hours and 46 minutes—better both in time and condition than my last few marathons. I adjusted my training plan slightly. I focused more on strength work to bolster my musculoskeletal system, and it probably paid off. Fans lined the entire course, and with live broadcasts, my family watched my run from home."

A total of 18,054 men ran the marathon, where Alexander Agishev placed 8,561st. Among 1,350 runners over 60, he finished 384th.