On 16 May, 2011, the NEC held an event to mark the start of the ‘365 Ultra Marathon’, wishing runners to safely complete the marathon course. The marathon aims to raise public awareness of the need to have an electoral environment conducive for free and fair elections, 365 days a year.

The ‘365 Ultra Marathon’ has been organised to publicize the NEC’s commitment to free and fair elections, especially in the run-up to the 2012 presidential and National Assembly elections. Mr. Jin Jang-hwan of the Yangju Election Commission (EC) will lead the runners, who will complete the 365km-long course, from Gawcheon to Seongju, from May 16 through 22.

Mr.Jin finished 2,500km course in October last year in ‘Trans Korea 2500 km race 2010’, organised to raise public awareness of the importance of putting sound and transparent political culture in place. Since 2001, he has participated in various marathon races, running 8,138 km in total.

The NEC also said that the ECs will hold events to promote sharing with the underprivileged in the regions where runners will pass by, such as Jincheon-gun, Okcheon-gun, and Goryeong-gun. The events, organised by the groups of volunteers from the ECs, intend to help child-headed households and solitary senior citizens.