Kim Kum-Ok
Encyclopedia
Kim Kum-ok is a female long-distance runner from North Korea
, who specialises in the half marathon
and marathon
events.
Kim ran in the Pyongyang Marathon
in 2006 and took third with a time of 2:29:25. She improved for the 2007 edition, setting a marathon personal best of 2:26:56 to take second place. She had her first success at collegiate level, winning the half marathon
at the 2007 Summer Universiade
. Having won at the age of eighteen, the win was North Korea's second ever title at the Universiade
. She ran at the Beijing Marathon
later that year and managed tenth place.
At the Hong Kong Marathon
, she had her first victory over the distance. She represented North Korea at the 2008 Summer Olympics
and took twelfth place in the Olympic marathon race. The following year she returned to the Pyongyang Marathon and finished second again, this time to Pyo Un-Suk
. She ran at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics
later that year and finished in twentieth place in the World Championship marathon race
with a time of 2:31:24 (the best performer of the North Korean team). She ended her 2009 season by running a half marathon best of 1:11:55 to win at the 2009 East Asian Games
.
In her fourth attempt at the course, Kim won the Pyongyang Marathon in 2:27:34, running her second fastest ever marathon and seeing off two-time champion Jong Yong-Ok
to take the honours.
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
, who specialises in the half marathon
Half marathon
A half marathon is a road running event of . It is half the distance of a marathon and usually run on roads. Participation in half marathons has grown steadily recently. One of the main reasons for this is that it is a challenging distance, but does not require the same level of training that a...
and marathon
Marathon
The marathon is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres , that is usually run as a road race...
events.
Kim ran in the Pyongyang Marathon
Pyongyang Marathon
Pyongyang Marathon, also known as Mangyongdae Prize International Marathon is an annual marathon race contested each April in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. It is currently categorised as an IAAF Bronze Label Road Race....
in 2006 and took third with a time of 2:29:25. She improved for the 2007 edition, setting a marathon personal best of 2:26:56 to take second place. She had her first success at collegiate level, winning the half marathon
Half marathon
A half marathon is a road running event of . It is half the distance of a marathon and usually run on roads. Participation in half marathons has grown steadily recently. One of the main reasons for this is that it is a challenging distance, but does not require the same level of training that a...
at the 2007 Summer Universiade
2007 Summer Universiade
The 2007 Summer Universiade, also known as the XXIV Summer Universiade, took place in Bangkok, Thailand.-Medal table:-External links:***...
. Having won at the age of eighteen, the win was North Korea's second ever title at the Universiade
Universiade
The Universiade is an International multi-sport event, organized for university athletes by the International University Sports Federation . The name is a combination of the words "University" and "olympiad"...
. She ran at the Beijing Marathon
Beijing Marathon
The Beijing International Marathon is an annual marathon race of 42.195 km held in October in Beijing, People's Republic of China. The race was first held in 1981 and has been held every year since. The race begins at Tiananmen Square and finishes at the National Olympic Sports Centre stadium...
later that year and managed tenth place.
At the Hong Kong Marathon
Hong Kong Marathon
The Hong Kong Marathon, sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank, is an annual marathon race held in February or March in Hong Kong. In addition to the full marathon, a 10 km run and a half marathon are also held.-1997:...
, she had her first victory over the distance. She represented North Korea at the 2008 Summer Olympics
North Korea at the 2008 Summer Olympics
North Korea competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics, held in Beijing, People's Republic of China from August 8 to August 24, 2008. The country sent 63 athletes, competing in 11 sports....
and took twelfth place in the Olympic marathon race. The following year she returned to the Pyongyang Marathon and finished second again, this time to Pyo Un-Suk
Pyo Un-Suk
Pyo Un-Suk is a North Korean long-distance runner who specializes in the marathon. Her personal best time is 2:28:34 hours, achieved at the 2009 Pyongyang Marathon....
. She ran at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics
2009 World Championships in Athletics
The 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics were held in Berlin, Germany from 15–23 August 2009. The majority of events took place in the Olympiastadion, while the marathon and racewalking events started and finished at the Brandenburg Gate....
later that year and finished in twentieth place in the World Championship marathon race
2009 World Championships in Athletics – Women's Marathon
The Women's Marathon event at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics took place on August 23, 2009 in the streets of Berlin, Germany. The race started at 11:15h local time.-Medalists:-Abbreviations:...
with a time of 2:31:24 (the best performer of the North Korean team). She ended her 2009 season by running a half marathon best of 1:11:55 to win at the 2009 East Asian Games
Athletics at the 2009 East Asian Games
At the 2009 East Asian Games, the athletics events were held at the Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground in Hong Kong, People's Republic of China from 10 December to 13 December...
.
In her fourth attempt at the course, Kim won the Pyongyang Marathon in 2:27:34, running her second fastest ever marathon and seeing off two-time champion Jong Yong-Ok
Jong Yong-Ok
Jong Yong-Ok is a North Korean long-distance runner who specializes in the marathon.She finished 20th at the 2000 Olympic Games, 21st at the 2004 Olympic Games, 14th at the 2005 World Championships and 36th at the 2008 Olympic Games...
to take the honours.
Achievements
| Representing | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | World Student Games 2007 Summer Universiade The 2007 Summer Universiade, also known as the XXIV Summer Universiade, took place in Bangkok, Thailand.-Medal table:-External links:***... |
Bangkok, Thailand | 1st | Half marathon | 1:12:31 |
| 2008 | Hong Kong Marathon Hong Kong Marathon The Hong Kong Marathon, sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank, is an annual marathon race held in February or March in Hong Kong. In addition to the full marathon, a 10 km run and a half marathon are also held.-1997:... |
Hong Kong Hong Kong Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour... , PR China |
1st | Marathon | 2:36:43 |
| Olympic Games 2008 Summer Olympics The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events... |
Beijing Beijing Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's... , PR China |
12th | Marathon | 2:30:01 | |
| 2009 | World Championships 2009 World Championships in Athletics The 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics were held in Berlin, Germany from 15–23 August 2009. The majority of events took place in the Olympiastadion, while the marathon and racewalking events started and finished at the Brandenburg Gate.... |
Berlin Berlin Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union... , Germany |
20th | Marathon 2009 World Championships in Athletics – Women's Marathon The Women's Marathon event at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics took place on August 23, 2009 in the streets of Berlin, Germany. The race started at 11:15h local time.-Medalists:-Abbreviations:... |
2:31:24 |
| East Asian Games Athletics at the 2009 East Asian Games At the 2009 East Asian Games, the athletics events were held at the Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground in Hong Kong, People's Republic of China from 10 December to 13 December... |
Bangkok Bangkok Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom... , Thailand |
1st | Half marathon | 1:11.55 | |
| 2010 | Pyongyang Marathon Pyongyang Marathon Pyongyang Marathon, also known as Mangyongdae Prize International Marathon is an annual marathon race contested each April in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. It is currently categorised as an IAAF Bronze Label Road Race.... |
Pyongyang, North Korea | 1st | Marathon | 2:27:34 |