Around 1 p.m. on the 16th at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Runners in red uniforms streamed into the square one by one. They were participants in Nike's running event "Run to Roar," held ahead of the final roster announcement for the national team for the World Cup. This reporter ran about 6 kilometers from near Wangsimni along Cheonggyecheon to Gwanghwamun.
The closer it got to Gwanghwamun, the more runners in uniform came into view. With midday temperatures topping 30 degrees and little shade, most were running soaked to the skin. Some wrapped themselves in headscarves or supporter scarves bearing the Taegeukgi. As with this reporter, some participants ran individually, but they could also run in groups with Nike's official pacemakers.
Nike said it planned the event to unite the cheering energy for the national soccer team ahead of the World Cup finals next month. The distances run by participants would be combined to reach about 12,000 kilometers, the distance to Guadalajara, Mexico, where Korea's first match will be held.
About 1,500 runners took part in the event. Participants started from designated departure points such as Myeong-dong, Bukchon, Yongsan, and Hongdae, or from a location of their choice, ran at least 5 kilometers, and gathered at Gwanghwamun Square. Everyone had to verify their finish times through the Nike Run Club (NRC) app.
A large screen in the center of the square showed the participants' cumulative running distance in real time. As of 2 p.m., the cumulative distance had surpassed about 4,800 kilometers. The screen displayed a graphic from Seoul to Guadalajara, Mexico, along with the target distance of 12,000 kilometers. One participant filming the screen on a phone said, "We're already nearly halfway there."
Around the venue were spaces where participants could leave cheering messages and photo zones. If they connected via QR code and sent photos and messages, they were broadcast in real time on a large LED screen. Phrases such as "Go, Republic of Korea," "Let's not lose the momentum," and "Let's just not get hurt" kept popping up.
On one side, the "PEG42 Dash" running challenge was also underway. Participants laced up Nike's Pegasus 42 running shoes and measured their all-out sprint record over 42 seconds on a non-motorized treadmill. The challenge records also count toward the total cumulative distance from Seoul to Guadalajara.
Following the Nike event, from 4 p.m., the final national soccer team roster announcement and a cheering performance will take place. Coach Hong Myung-bo will hold a press conference at KT Gwanghwamun Building Onmadang and read out the list of 26 players who will compete at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup.