Young cyclists from around the world pedaled their way along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), from east to west, across the Korean Peninsula from Sept. 3 to 6.

The cyclists were competing in the Tour de DMZ 2016, an international road cycling race for high school and university students that spanned a distance of 348 kilometers. The race began on the east coast by the Goseong Unification Observatory (고성 통일전망대) in Gangwon-do Province, and ended at the Imjingak Pavilion (임진각) in Paju, Gyeonggi-do Province, only 7 kilometers south of the Military Demarcation Line.

This was the first time for a cycling race to be held near the DMZ, along the North-South border. Seventy-two cyclists from eight countries and territories, including Spain, the U.K., Japan, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Thailand and Uzbekistan, competed in the event. There were also 136 cyclists from 14 local high schools in the race.

Some 200 adult cyclists from clubs and associations joined the race for the first 48 kilometers, a course that stretched from the Goseong Unification Observatory to Jinburyeong, on the border between Goseong and Inje-gun counties in Gangwon-do Province. Local residents living in major cities along the race course organized parades to welcome the cyclists passing through their towns.





"The heavy downpour on Day 1 made it so much harder to perform at the top of my game, but cycling through regions that are usually restricted to civilians, that's something I will always remember," said Yoo Yeon Woo, a cyclist from Gangwon Sports High School on the second day of the competition. "I plan on giving it my all until the finish line at the Imjingak Pavilion," he said.

The course was divided into four sections and competitors were ranked based on their performance in each section. The sectional rankings were then added up for the overall medal standings. This year, Kim Yoo Ro came in first place in the individual category, and a peloton from Gapyeong High School won the trophy in the team category.





"The Tour de DMZ is more than just a cycling race. It's an opportunity for people to see and feel the history and culture of a region blocked off due to national security," said Kim Jang Oh, team leader at the Ministry of the Interior's Regional Development Policy Bureau, who organized the event. "I hope that the event helps to make known the natural resources hidden along the borders of the DMZ."

By Lee Hana
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Ministry of the Interior
hlee10@korea.kr