Recently Rushing Out in Groups... "Slowly Blocking the Way, No Room to Pass" Sparks Public Backlash

Slow Running Goes Viral on SNS as Related Groups Increase
Concerns Over Pedestrian Obstruction Grow with the Spread of Group Running

Recently, "slow running," which emphasizes that you can benefit from exercise without running quickly, is gaining popularity, especially on social networking services (SNS). As more people enjoy slow running and related gatherings are emerging, there are concerns that the past controversy over running crews "blocking the way" may be repeated.

Not related to the content of this article. Getty Images Bank

"Exercise Benefits Even When Running Slowly"... Slow Running Gaining Popularity Alongside Growing Running Groups

Slow running is establishing itself as a new running culture. Unlike traditional running, it focuses on consistent training without pressure to improve records, and it is characterized by a pace slow enough for participants to hold a conversation with others. Because beginners can start without hesitation and cases of exercise fatigue and injury have increased due to intense record competition, slow running is emerging as an attractive alternative.

Running photo = Pixabay

Lately, in addition to exercising alone, people are also forming group running events. On SNS, posts sharing exercise experiences or looking for others to run with under the names "slow running" and "slow run" are appearing one after another.

The running boom can also be seen in the numbers. According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism's "2025 National Life Sports Survey," the percentage of respondents who ranked "running, jogging, marathon" among their top three activities surged 1.6 times in just one year, from 4.8% in 2024 to 7.7% last year. On the local community platform Danggeun, gatherings using keywords such as "walking" or "running" increased by 2.2 times as of the end of 2024 compared to the year before.

The issue arises when running in groups, as they may take up large portions of walking paths. Particularly, when several people run slowly side by side, it becomes difficult for pedestrians behind them to pass, and those approaching from the opposite direction are forced to step aside.

Concerns Over “Blocking the Way” With Group Running... The Activity of Slow Running Itself Poses No Issue

These concerns relate less to slow running itself and more to the repeated "blocking the way" controversy previously associated with running crews.

On August 31, a post on X (formerly Twitter) read, "The current trend with running crews, which we seem likely to see more often soon. It now looks like the slow running craze." The accompanying video featured participants running in groups along with captions such as, "Start slow running from today for easy weight loss."

Among users who saw the post, voices of concern were raised over group running interfering with pedestrian traffic. Comments included, "I don't care how you run, but please don't block the way," and "I hope people don't run side by side in groups like running crews."

The photo is not related to any specific content of the article.

As Running Crews Become More Active, Usage Guidelines Emerge... Legal Consequences Possible for Blocking Pathways

Since October 2024, Seocho-gu, Seoul has implemented a rule at Banpo Comprehensive Sports Complex requiring that if more than five people are running together, they must maintain intervals of at least 2 meters between participants. This was a response to persistent complaints about large running crews occupying multiple tracks and making loud noises. Those who do not follow the rules or conduct paid lessons without permission may be asked to leave.

In September last year, notices targeting running crews were also posted at Yeouido Park in Seoul. The messages called for refraining from running in groups, clapping or shouting, shouting "Move out of the way," or removing outer clothing.

There is no law that categorically bans group running. Restrictions such as "no running with more than five people" are not legal standards applied nationwide, but rather usage rules set by individual sports facilities or parks.

Under current law, if you block a path without a legitimate reason and cause others to feel anxious or uncomfortable, you may be fined up to 100,000 won, detained, or given a minor penalty. If a public pathway is blocked so that passage is impossible or significantly hindered, it may constitute an obstruction of general traffic under the Criminal Act. However, the Supreme Court has ruled that simple inconvenience alone does not constitute a violation.

Recently, as the heat subsides, running crew activities, in which multiple people form clubs to run together around parks, have become more active. With more people taking up running and approaches like slow running diversifying, there are calls for a culture of mutual consideration in public spaces so as not to hinder other pedestrians.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.