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The 1st Turtle Marathon @ Griffith Park attracts large crowd

February 2, 2015
The 1st Turtle Marathon @ Griffith Park participants gathered Saturday morning for a 3-mile hike. (Park Sang-hyuk/Korea Times)

The 1st Turtle Marathon @ Griffith Park participants gathered Saturday morning for a 3-mile hike. (Park Sang-hyuk/Korea Times)

By The Korea Times Los Angeles staff

A walking marathon held Saturday morning at Los Angeles’ Griffith Park attracted about 3,000 from the Korean American community.

The 1st Turtle Marathon, an effort by the Korea Times, Radio Seoul and Nongshim America, brought together about 50 Korean American organizations, families, friends and coworkers in an invitation to hike a 3-mile course through the Old Zoo.

“I had no idea such a beautiful hiking course was hidden inside Griffith Park,” said Kelly Na, one of the participants.

Others, like Do Sang-hak and his wife, Ji-eun, brought their children along.

“We didn’t have many chances to hike, so this event will be the beginning of coming out more often with the kids,” the couple said.

Hikers also included Los Angeles Korean Consul General Kim Hyun-myung, Orange County Supervisor Michelle Park Steel and LAPD Olympic Division Captain Tina Nieto.

“Exercising is my favorite thing in the world, so I’m happy to have come here,” Kim said. “I think Korean Americans coming together to exercise like this will help cooperation in the community.”

The first 2,000 participants to finish the marathon received ramen gift sets and health drinks.

The marathon was sponsored by the office of District 4 City Councilman Tom LaBonge, the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles, Pyung Tong LA and the Korean American Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles.

A woman prepares for the marathon at the Merry-Go-Round inside Griffith Park Saturday. (Tae Hong/Korea Times)

A woman prepares for the marathon at the Merry-Go-Round inside Griffith Park Saturday. (Tae Hong/Korea Times)

About 3,000 came out to participate in the walking marathon. (Tae Hong/Korea Times)

About 3,000 came out to participate in the walking marathon. (Tae Hong/Korea Times)

A woman stretches before the hike begins Saturday. (Tae Hong/Korea Times)

A woman stretches before the hike begins Saturday. (Tae Hong/Korea Times)

Volunteers give out marathon bibs to participants Saturday. (Tae Hong/Korea Times)

Volunteers give out marathon bibs to participants Saturday. (Tae Hong/Korea Times)

People of all ages came out for the 1st Turtle Marathon @ Griffith Park. (Brian Han/Korea Times)

People of all ages came out for the 1st Turtle Marathon @ Griffith Park. (Brian Han/Korea Times)

Hikers walk along the 3-mile trail along the Old Zoo inside Griffith Park Saturday. (Tae Hong/Korea Times)

Hikers walk along the 3-mile trail along the Old Zoo inside Griffith Park Saturday. (Tae Hong/Korea Times)

A woman waits in line to receive ramen and other souvenirs for participating in the race. (Brian Han/Korea Times)

A woman waits in line to receive ramen and other souvenirs for participating in the race. (Brian Han/Korea Times)

Parents, young adults, children and pets were all welcome at the Turtle Marathon. (Brian Han/Korea Times)

Parents, young adults, children and pets were all welcome at the Turtle Marathon. (Brian Han/Korea Times)