"Happy to Run Again": Marathon Legend Lee Bong-Ju's Miraculous Recovery
Legendary marathoner Lee Bong-Ju has laced up his running shoes again after a long battle with illness.
After suffering from an incurable disease for four years, he now smiles brightly, saying, "I've rediscovered the joy of running."
"I never thought I'd be able to run again... I'm living a second life now."
In a recent episode of Kian84's YouTube channel 'Life84,' Lee Bong-Ju shared his recent activities while jogging with Kian84.
When Kian84 asked, "Have you fully recovered your health?" Lee Bong-Ju replied, "It's still difficult to run fast, but it's okay to run slowly. These days, I complete 10km in about 50 minutes."
Kian84 laughed and said, "That's slow? I'm honored to run 5km with you."
Lee Bong-Ju has been battling a rare disease called 'muscle dystonia' since 2020.
This disease, in which muscles contract involuntarily due to abnormalities in the brain nerves, forced him to live for a long time without being able to straighten his back.
However, his condition improved after undergoing surgery to remove a spinal cyst in late 2024.
He expressed his gratitude, saying, "I used to wish I could run for just 30 minutes, but now I'm happy to be able to sweat and exercise."
Last January, Lee Bong-Ju participated in a 12km marathon in Japan.
He said, "It took me over an hour and 10 minutes, but the record didn't matter. I was just grateful to be able to run again."
During the filming, he looked uncomfortable with his back, and he honestly said, "I'm not fully recovered, but I'm exercising carefully. I rest and manage my body whenever it feels a little down."
He completed 5.4km in about 30 minutes that day and smiled, saying, "I'm really happy at this moment."
Lee Bong-Ju is a figure who has decorated a page in Korean marathon history.
1996 Atlanta Olympics Silver Medal
1998 Bangkok Asian Games Gold Medal
2001 Boston Marathon Winner
2002 Busan Asian Games Gold Medal
In particular, the Korean record of 2 hours, 7 minutes, and 20 seconds for the full course has not been broken as of 2025.
He completed 41 full courses and was nicknamed 'Iron Man' for running as a player until he was over forty.
After retiring, he continued broadcasting and lecturing activities, and confessed that he came to rethink the meaning of life while suffering from the disease.
"Now, my biggest goal is health. Now I run for happiness, not competition."
He plans to continue delivering a message of hope through running.
Lee Bong-Ju Profile
Name: Lee Bong-Ju
Born: November 25, 1970 (55 years old as of 2025)
Birthplace: Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Education: Graduated from Korea National Sport University
Major History:
Former South Korean National Marathoner
1996 Atlanta Olympics Silver Medalist
2001 Boston Marathon Winner
Record: Korean Marathon Best Record (2 hours, 7 minutes, 20 seconds, 2000 Tokyo Marathon)
Currently: Broadcaster, Running Campaign Ambassador
Source :https://blog.naver.com/rotoryhi/224054940590
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