‘Talent Award of Korea’ is an award that is presented to young people who are expected to lead and contribute to the future of the country. The award is hosted by the Ministry of Education and is conducted by KOFAC (Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity).
Every year, one hundred people are nominated; fifty university students and fifty high school students. JBNU graduate, Kim Seung-hyeon, was awarded for his activities as a guide runner. Kim Seung-hyeon’s passion for his work, combined with his ambitious attitude towards success, made him an ideal candidate.

What is a ‘Guide Runner’?

"A guide runner is a volunteer who aids visually impaired runners while running and jogging, even in triathlons. In order to aid visually impaired runners, they use ropes, vests, and T-shirts with fluorescent colors."

How would you describe the relationship between a visually impaired runner and a guide runner?

"The best partner. We bring out the best in both of us."

Guide Running Motivations

Kim had two motives that led him to become a ‘guide runner’. It all started with a personal injury. While he was preparing for a taekwondo performance in India, he broke his collarbone. Because of this, he needed to return to Korea right away for surgery. He recalled having a lot of worries about the future due to the injury.

However, while he rested at the hospital, he saw photos of a visually impaired runner and a guide runner at a marathon. Since then, he was inspired by the photos and dreamed of becoming a guide runner. While participating in a self-design competition organized by JBNU, he left for the United Kingdom, where he learned about professional guide running.

During his studies, he decided that he wanted to continue his activity beyond amateur guide running. Therefore, he came back to Korea and participated in the contest and hosted educational campaigns based on what he had learned abroad.

Looking Back at Happy Memories as Guide Runner

Kim remembered laughing after finishing a full marathon as a guide runner for the first time in the United States. Recollections of countless practices flashed by as he reached the finish line. After running together, guide runners and visually impaired runners went out for a drink. It is difficult to clink glasses when their height is so different.

However, the visually impaired runners just laughed and enjoyed the situation of spilling drinks and unmet glasses. This made him half-jokingly question whether or not he was prejudiced.

Future Plans and Dreams

In Korea, guide runners must attend weekly gatherings of visually impaired runners in order to find their partners. Since the attendees constantly change, runners are randomly matched. It is difficult to find the right match without considering each participant’s running level or character.

The system is completely different in the United States. The visually impaired runners join the non-disabled marathon crews and expose themselves. If only two out of one hundred non-disabled runners knew about guide running, fifty others would learn as time went on. It becomes much easier to find a partner with a similar running style.

Kim wishes to make these connections in society, leading to a comfortable running environment for both guide runners and visually impaired runners in marathons. He put those thoughts into action by proposing a guide runner matching policy to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Becoming a race director is Kim’s dream. A race director plans everything for a marathon; from mapping courses to promoting events. In 2020, the Boston Marathon included a special division for para-athletes to minimize the influence of impairments in the competition.

Awards are given to the top three male and female finishers in either wheelchair, visual impairment, upper or lower limb impairment division. “These simple systematic strategies can change how the participants and the audience see para-athletes. I want to bring change as a race director,” Kim said.

He also wants to take part in running the Seoul Marathon. The Seoul Marathon was awarded the World Athletics Heritage Plaque by World Athletics for its second longest history in marathon competition. It is also a Platinum Label race, becoming one of only two marathons awarded with both titles alongside the Boston Marathon. However, the Seoul Marathon is not fully recognized for its value, and Kim hopes to help make it grow in stature.

by Chin Da-youn(Reporter), Kim Ju Myeong(Editor)