Hi all,

I just arrived at Osan AFB a few days ago. I'm looking for any advice or info on some good places to go running? Are there any base running clubs or events?

Thanks in advance!

I'm not a runner myself but I have a few ideas. I have seen people running near the flight line near the beta gate. I think they have a running path over there.

I don't know if there is a club but I know that there are local marathons. My hubby is a runner. He ran a local marathon a couple weeks ago. He was the first american to finish and finshed in the top 25. I was so proud. But don't worry if you aren't super fast, people run all different speeds in those marathons. I know they also had a marathon run on base sometime last month as well. If I hear of anything coming up I will post it on here for you.

There are organized runs through the gym every month or so...sometimes a 5K, sometimes a 10K. I haven't paid much attention to them as I feel self-conscious running in a race because I'm convinced I'd finish last!

I do run the flight line at least once a week. I *believe* it's six miles from the gym, down toward the Beta gate, left at the flight line, all the way around, through the golf course to the main road, right on the main road, left on Broadway, past the Mustang Club and then back to the gym. It takes me about two hours or a little less to go from my house, around the flight line, and back home and that should be about ten miles.

Hope that helps!

Kara

Thanks! I'll have to check out that running path near the flight line. I did read that the gym is having a Turkey Trot 5k next weekend - you should do it Kara, you won't come in last!

I've also heard a rumor that headphones are not allowed while running on base - is that true or is it just for military personnel?

Um, it's clearly announced in several places that headphones are STRICTLY PROHIBITED while running or walking on sidewalks and streets on the installation. *However* (and keep in mind that I'm usually a rule-follower...I even drive the speed limit!) I wear mine and have never been stopped. I've run past the SPs on several occasions. So, take that for what you will.

Kara

The no running with earphones thing here at Yongsan is a safety thing. My neighbor's wife's sister was killed crossing the street, as she was inattentive to traffic while wearing earbuds and an MP3 player. She was a nice lady.

I don't know if the prohibition is for military only or if it is for everyone. It should cover teeny boppers, too. They walk all over the street.
I know our freedom is precious, but some of us don't have the common sense to realize sharing the road with automobiles requires all of our senses to stay alive. I wish good luck in jogging and running to all those sharing the road with 2000 pound steel monsters, and I hope you use common sense.

You may have noticed that, in Korea, Koreans beileve the road is ruled by pedestrians, and traffic yields to them no matter what! In my neighborhood in the heart of Seoul, there are no sidewalks. Drive and jog carefully!

My husband lets his headphones hang around his neck so that he can still hear the music while he is running. Just last week I saw one soldier tell another soldier to take his headphones off while walking.

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There's No Toilet Paper on the Road Less Traveled.

The only place I think you can run with your headphones on outside is at Osan HS track. You're not even allowed to wear headphones while walking on the sidewalks in our out of uniform, mil or dependent. I get told to take my headphones off when coming through the main gate.

They should make the people driving them 2000 LBS beast turn off their radios and let the walkers and runners wear their headphones. Everyone says this is a walking base, so shouldn't the walkers be catered to?

In my area I have found that the Koreans do not care at all about people walking in the streets or on the crosswalk. I can not believe how many times I have seen cars plow through a crosswalk (on a red light) and nearly take someone out in the crosswalk while they have the green to go. I see it on a daily basis. I am soooo careful before I cross the crosswalk, having the green to go doesn't mean much. Several times I have stopped my car for someone in the crosswalk and a Korean driver has swirved around me and nearly hit the person in the crosswalk I was stopped for. Once it was a really close call. I really thought the poor old lady was going to be taken out.

So I understand the safety rule. Just because you are following all the traffic signs as a runner, doesn't mean the drivers are following them. Be careful out there!

Their is a huge difference between on and off base, I hope what you refered to was off base and not on...

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CH-47 SI

They must find it difficult...

Those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than truth as the authority. --Gerald Massey