Seoul City Mayor Oh Se-hoon, center, waves his hands during the "Easygoing Morning" program, March 14. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government
In a major push to reform urban fitness into an inclusive, stress-free way to exercise, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Wednesday that it will launch the permanent expansion of its highly successful "Easygoing Morning" program this July.
The initiative departs sharply from marathons focused on rigorous records, professional pacing and competition. Instead, the municipal program invites participants to walk, jog or cycle at their own pace while explicitly welcoming strollers, kickboards and leashed pets to join, creating a leisurely, community-centered atmosphere. Originally introduced as a pilot project in March, the concept generated overwhelming public enthusiasm.
A civic satisfaction survey conducted during the trial phase revealed a 90.4 percent satisfaction rate, with 96.1 percent of participants expressing a desire to return.
The expanded season will commence on Sunday, running from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. along a five-kilometer waterfront route. Participants will depart from the Cultural Plaza in Yeouido Park, crossing back and forth over the Mapo Bridge. City planners noted that only select traffic lanes will be cordoned off for the event, a strategy engineered to help ensure runner safety while minimizing weekend gridlock for local motorists.
