Hi everyone! I'm Pauline Yu (PYY), Taiwan's only 4× Hyrox World Championship qualifier. Seoul is one of those cities that just gets my heart racing before I even lace up — the energy of Gangnam, the smell of charcoal BBQ drifting out of every alley, and a Hyrox floor tucked inside one of Asia's biggest convention centers. I haven't raced here myself yet, but I've done my homework like I always do before a trip, and I want to hand you the intel I'd want in my own pocket if I flew in tomorrow.
Venue & Course
Here's the first thing you need to nail down, and I mean before you book anything: Hyrox Seoul has used two different venues in two different cities. The first-ever Seoul race on 8–9 November 2025 was at COEX Convention & Exhibition Center in Gangnam, right in Seoul proper at 513 Yeongdong-daero. But the 2026 edition, listed for 13–15 November, is at KINTEX in Goyang, northwest of the city and nowhere near Gangnam. Confirm your race edition first, because the whole logistics plan pivots on which venue you're racing at.
COEX is a monster of a building — four stories above ground, around 36,007 square meters of exhibition space, and four halls that split into twelve separate rooms. The 2025 race lived in Hall C. It's the standard Hyrox format everywhere, eight 1km runs plus eight workout stations, and the Seoul race guide told athletes to enter the roxzone the third time they saw the In Arch on laps one through eight. I couldn't verify the exact flooring or the running-loop shape, so I won't fake it — walk the course yourself in the athlete briefing.
A few things stood out in the 2025 results that tell you the field was fast and serious:
- ▸Josh van Zeeland won Men's Pro in 54:57 and Claire Nesbitt took Women's Pro in 1:05:41 — genuinely quick times that show this floor rewards a well-paced, honest effort.
- ▸An age-group world record was set right here in Men's Open Doubles 35–39 by Beomseok Hong and Kitae Nam in 52:57, so don't underestimate the local talent racing beside you.
Things to Do
Seoul is a dream for the sightseeing days around a race. The classic hits are Gyeongbokgung Palace, built in 1395 as the main Joseon royal palace, and the 600-year-old Bukchon Hanok Village tucked between two palaces. For a view, N Seoul Tower stands 236 meters up on Namsan mountain, and Changdeokgung Palace with its Secret Garden is another Joseon gem. If you love street food, Gwangjang Market opened back in 1905 as Korea's first permanent market and is still the most famous food hall in the city.
What I love about COEX is that you barely have to leave the building to be entertained, which is gold when your legs are wrecked. Here are the spots right on the venue's doorstep so you can rest and still see something:
- ▸The Starfield Library sits inside COEX itself, and the COEX Aquarium is at basement level — both are a gentle stroll from the race floor on tired legs.
- ▸Bongeunsa Temple sits directly across from COEX, a serene temple ringed by skyscrapers, perfect for a calm morning before or the day after you race.
Where to Eat
Korean BBQ is the signature Seoul meal, and the neighborhood totally changes the vibe. Euljiro is old-school and working-class, where samgyeopsal around 200g runs 15,000 to 18,000 won over charcoal with unlimited kimchi refills, best on weekday evenings during office dinner culture. Gangnam — which is your closest zone if you're racing at COEX — goes premium, with hanwoo sirloin at 40,000 to 80,000 won per 100g in modern rooms where staff often grill for you. Hongdae and Hapjeong are the casual, late-night option, cheaper and open until the small hours.
For race week I'd keep things lighter before you compete and save the big grill session for after you cross that finish line. Dishes to know are samgyeopsal (pork belly), galbi (marinated ribs) and hanwoo (premium beef), and the classic BBQ finale is bokkeumbap, fried rice cooked in the leftover pan. A couple of pointers to keep in your back pocket:
- ▸In Hapjeong, Sinkim chisamgyeopsal grills kimchi and pork belly together on a stone plate for a tangy-spicy flavor, roughly 12,000 to 16,000 won per serving.
- ▸Gangnam is the most convenient dining zone if you race at COEX, so you can refuel without a long trek back to your hotel afterward.
Pauline's Picks & Take
If I raced Seoul, here's exactly how I'd play it. I'd book a hotel in Gangnam or near Samseong station to kill the race-morning commute — nothing worse than fighting a long subway ride before eight demanding kilometers of running. The day before, I'd keep it mellow: a quiet walk to Bongeunsa Temple across from COEX, a light meal, legs up early. Post-race is when Seoul gets fun, and I'd earn every bite of that premium hanwoo BBQ in Gangnam once the timing chip's off.
On the tourist front, I'd split it so the palaces and Bukchon Hanok Village come after race day when I can actually enjoy walking, and I'd save the Starfield Library and COEX Aquarium for tired-legs days since they're inside the venue. My honest take: Seoul rewards athletes who plan around which venue they're racing, respect the local field's speed, and treat the city as the reward. Here's my simple pre-race checklist for this one:
- ▸Confirm COEX versus KINTEX first, then book a hotel accordingly — this single decision shapes your whole transport and rest strategy for the weekend.
- ▸Walk the course in your athlete briefing since I couldn't verify the surface or loop layout — know your roxzone entry before you're deep in the pain cave.
Practical Tips
Getting from Incheon Airport to Gangnam is about 65km, roughly a 60-minute drive, and you've got four main routes. The Airport Limousine Bus (No. 6703) is around 18,000 won and about 1 hour 10 minutes, direct with luggage space and my pick when I'm tired. AREX plus subway is the cheapest at about 4,950 won but takes 1 hour 30 minutes with a transfer. A private transfer runs about 87,500 won in 60 to 80 minutes, and a taxi is roughly 70,000 to 100,000 won — use a ride-share app.
To reach COEX itself, take subway Line 2 to Samseong station, which drops you right at the complex under Starfield Mall. If your 2026 race is at KINTEX, remember it's out in Goyang, a totally different direction, so plan transport that way and confirm fares separately. Hyatt was the official accommodation partner for the event if you want partner perks. Here are my quick logistics notes:
- ▸For first-timers, Myeongdong, Insadong or Bukchon are great tourist bases, but Gangnam or Samseong wins for race-morning convenience if you're at COEX.
- ▸Late arrival? The N6703 night bus still runs to Gangnam for around 18,000 won in about an hour, so you're not stranded after a long-haul flight.
That's my full playbook for Hyrox Seoul — a city that gives you world-class racing, unreal food and endless sightseeing all in one trip. Go smart on the venue question, race hard, and then let Seoul spoil you afterward. If this helped, come subscribe at paulineyuyu.com so I can send you more venue guides and race intel before your next start line. See you out there!
Taiwan's elite HYROX Pro athlete and 4× World Championship qualifier. I share my training journey, race insights, and performance notes from the competition floor.
