'One month before the deadline': Daegu, the city of athletics, faces a 'box office emergency' for the Daegu World Masters... Participation rate 'merely 30%'

*This content was translated by AI.

'The 2026 Daegu World Masters Athletics Championships' has seen a red light flash on its box office prospects, with the participation rate hovering at just 30% of the target as the registration deadline approaches by only one month.

According to The Kyunghyang Shinmun on the 12th, the registration rate for the '2026 Daegu World Masters Athletics Championships,' scheduled to be held in August, has fallen far short of the target, prompting an emergency alert in Daegu City.

Following a five-month registration period that began in December last year, the number of applicants was recorded at approximately 3,000 (including 1,600 foreigners). This represents only about 27% to 30% of the target set by Daegu City (11,000). With the registration deadline of June 23 now just one month away, concerns over the event's success are growing.

The primary reason for the poor box office is identified as a lack of strategic promotion. Despite the running boom, the event's low visibility, coupled with instability in the Middle East and rising airfares due to increased oil prices, has deterred foreign participants. Additionally, concerns over the the 3rd local elections and the summer heatwave have acted as further setbacks.

To turn the tide, it is reported that Daegu City has switched the 10km and half-marathon events to a 'first-come, first-served' registration system to encourage participation from amateur runners. The city plans to focus its promotional efforts on Asian countries during the remaining period and to bolster commemorative gifts and sponsorship items after the local elections to attract last-minute applicants.

Daegu City stated that, given the typical trend of a surge in applications just before the deadline, it will do its utmost to encourage participation during the remaining period.

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*This content was translated by AI.