Event Detail
The 2026 Golden Trail World Series (GTWS) Muju Trail Grand Finale brings the international trail-running season to Deogyusan National Park in Muju, South Korea, on 24–25 October. This is the first GTWS Grand Finale staged in South Korea, and the climactic competition of the series' ninth season. World-class contenders race for the final overall standings while public trail categories give recreational runners a chance to experience the same mountain setting.
Championship course
The featured elite course is approximately 28 km: the Golden Trail World Series currently lists 27.8 km and 2,408 m of climbing, while Salomon Korea describes its updated 28K course with about 2,313 m ascent. These official figures differ slightly, so entrants should use the latest organiser-issued route file rather than treating either climbing figure as definitive. The demanding route traverses the Hyangjeokbong and Jungbong mountain area, rocky and wooded descents, autumn ridgelines and the historic Baengnyeonsa temple. This is technical mountain racing, not a road half marathon. ARC has no exact 28K distance filter, so only the verified public 21K and 10K options appear in its structured distance tags.
What happens when
The published GTWS programme places the public 21K start at 05:00 on Saturday 24 October, followed by the elite women's presentation from 12:30 and the women's start at 13:00. On Sunday 25 October, the public 10K starts at 07:00 and the elite men's race at 13:00. Expo Village is scheduled for Friday 23 October, 16:00–19:00, and both race days, 08:00–20:00. Men's race and overall championship awards follow on Sunday afternoon. All times are local Korea Standard Time (UTC+9); verify any changes against the final official schedule.
Preparing for Muju
The organiser identifies Muju Deogyusan Resort as the central race venue, with steep mountain terrain surrounding the resort and national park. Unlike the invited elite world-series field, the 21K and 10K are public categories; availability, participant requirements, fees and collection instructions should be checked directly on the event website because an open registration place is not confirmed. Expect uneven, potentially slippery trail surfaces and significant climbing. Plan your journey and accommodation around very early race starts, and follow the organiser's final mandatory-gear, weather and access notices.