MBN marathon variety show 'Run to Live season 2' Run to Live crew completed a dramatic Race as they built teamwork and stoked their competitive spirit through the first internal competition, the 'Civil War' relay marathon held in Hongcheon.
On the 15th episode of 'Run to Live season 2' episode 4, filmed in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province at the 'Hongcheon love marathon event', A team Go Han-min–Kwak Yoon-gi–Im Soo-hyang, B team Lee Young-pyo–Choi Young-joon–Jung Hye-in and C team Yang Se-hyung–Im Se-mi–Yoo Seon-ho were revealed competing in three-person teams in a half-course relay. The Race, arranged to reflect records, endurance and course characteristics, showed the real charm of a 'team event' where strategy and teamwork, beyond speed competition, decided the outcome, keeping viewers glued.
That day the Run to Live crew gathered at 4 a.m. at Hongcheon sports complex. Im Soo-hyang said, "Since I started marathoning I've actually gained weight," sharing her earnest running update and a touching anecdote that drew laughter. In the warm atmosphere, commentator Bae Seong-jae introduced "a solid daily crew," former short-track national team member Kwak Yoon-gi. Kwak Yoon-gi said, "I don't really care about records. I ran so hard as an athlete that now I want to enjoy it," revealing he is a proponent of fun running. After Kwak Yoon-gi's introduction, Bae Seong-jae surprised everyone by announcing, "Today's battle opponent is the Run to Live crew!" He said, "Today is an internal competition, 'Civil War.' The first-place team will receive a premium Korean beef, known as hanwoo, meal, but the other teams will have to compete in a high-intensity fitness contest," which froze everyone. Afterwards, team compositions based on ability were revealed: A team Go Han-min–Kwak Yoon-gi–Im Soo-hyang, B team Lee Young-pyo–Choi Young-joon–Jung Hye-in, and C team Yang Se-hyung–Im Se-mi–Yoo Seon-ho.
The biggest variable in this matchup was undoubtedly Kwak Yoon-gi. Although he said, "Enjoyment comes before records," once the race began he surged ahead at an overwhelming pace. Approaching an uphill section he shifted from 'fun run' to a 'hard run' mode and quickly opened a gap on the other two teams. In particular, he ran 7.5 km in 32 minutes 08 seconds and passed the baton first, which surprised everyone, but it turned out this was following Go Han-min's instructions to consider Im Soo-hyang's segment burden. Kwak Yoon-gi said humbly, "I ran hard because I was told widening the gap would help the team win. It's the first time I've run like this, so I didn't know I was this fast."
B team's Choi Young-joon also drew attention with a run beyond expectations. He chased Kwak Yoon-gi early on despite risking overpacing, but before the turnaround point he faced a crisis with a side stitch. Still, he maintained his pace out of a sense of responsibility, saying, "If I stop it will hurt the team." As a result, Choi Young-joon set a personal best and passed the baton second. Surprised by Choi Young-joon's unexpected run, Yang Se-hyung said, "Until now my time was better than Young-joon hyung's. Did he come out sharpening his teeth?" The first segment ended with Kwak Yoon-gi, Choi Young-joon and Yang Se-hyung in that order.
In the second segment the rankings began to change in earnest. Im Soo-hyang tried to open as much gap as possible on the flat, but her pace dropped sharply on the steep uphill. She complained, "It wasn't an uphill so much as almost like a ski slope." Seizing the opportunity, Jung Hye-in succeeded in overtaking with strong uphill running and put B team in the lead. Jung Hye-in said, "My competitive spirit is strong; I really wanted to win." Immediately after, Yoo Seon-ho powered past Im Soo-hyang with an explosive surge but, due to the aftereffects of overpacing, he grew rapidly fatigued and barely held onto second place.
The turning point of the contest that day was the final segment. The head-to-head between A team's Go Han-min and B team's Lee Young-pyo was a breathtaking duel. Lee Young-pyo, who received the baton from Jung Hye-in, kept the lead despite overpacing, and Go Han-min, who started last, quickly closed the gap. When Go Han-min overtook Im Se-mi, Im Se-mi shouted, "Take it easy," but Go Han-min did not stop. Eventually Go Han-min succeeded in catching Lee Young-pyo, but Lee Young-pyo counterattacked again with an interval sprint. Lee Young-pyo said, "I didn't want to give up the lead easily. I ran more because I didn't want to seem like an easy opponent." However, in the race's final stages, Go Han-min used his trademark grit and sprint to finally take the lead and crossed the finish line first, still composed on the last uphill.
The result was a victory for A team. A team finished first in 1 hour 34 minutes 27 seconds, B team finished second in 1 hour 37 minutes 50 seconds, and C team completed the course in 1 hour 42 minutes 52 seconds. Commentator Yoon Yeo-chun said, "This race proved once again why Go Han-min is the celebrity marathon champion." After the Race, regardless of ranking, the faces of the Run to Live crew bore a deep afterglow. Im Se-mi said, "Winning and losing matter, but I'm most proud that we sweated together and finished to the end with our teammates. A camaraderie formed," expressing an emotional reaction.
[Photo] MBN 'Run to Live season 2' broadcast capture
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