80-Year-Old Man Completes 100 Laps of Jeju Olle Trail, a Testament to Resilience and the Healing Power of Walking
A remarkable feat of endurance and a powerful story of overcoming adversity unfolded on the island of Jeju, South Korea, as Han Chang-su, an 80-year-old man, became the first person to complete 100 laps of the Jeju Olle Trail – a network of walking paths totaling 437 kilometers.
The Jeju Olle Trail, established in 2007, has become a symbol of natural beauty and wellness, but for Han Chang-su, it represents something far more profound: a path back to life. He began his journey in April 2010,inspired by his daughter’s completion of the trail,questioning if he,too,could undertake the challenge.
Initially, the journey was fraught with difficulties. Residing in Seoul at the time, Han was unfamiliar with the Jeju landscape and often found himself retracing his steps. Within four days, he relocated to Namwon-eup, Seogwipo City, Jeju, to fully immerse himself in the Olle Trail experiance. However, his newfound passion was soon tested by a series of serious health challenges.
Between 2012 and 2014, Han received diagnoses of thymic cancer, leukemia, and prostate cancer, requiring extensive surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment.The treatments left him physically weakened, struggling even to stand. Yet, he refused to abandon his walking routine, persevering with small steps on his recovery days. This dedication culminated in his first completion certificate in December 2017.
Han continued to challenge himself, and on November 25th, after 15 years and 7 months of walking, he achieved his 100th completion, totaling an astounding 43,136 kilometers – exceeding the Earth’s circumference of approximately 40,000 kilometers. He actively supports the Olle Trail community by crafting walking sticks and continues to walk over 20,000 steps daily, setting his sights on a 150th completion within the next decade.
“To me, the Jeju Olle Trail is the path of life, the path that saved me,” Han shared, encapsulating the profound impact the trail has had on his well-being.
Ahn Eun-joo, CEO of Jeju Olle, emphasized the importance of Han’s accomplishment, stating that his dedication is “notable, but the feeling of his heart of walking the Olle Trail for a long time is even greater than anything else.” She expressed hope that his story will inspire others, regardless of age or health, to experience the benefits of the trail.
As of November 2025, the Jeju Olle Trail comprises 27 courses, including routes on affiliated islands like Chujado and Udo. Han Chang-su’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the restorative power of nature and the human spirit’s capacity for resilience. His journey is not just about completing a trail; it’s about reclaiming a life, one step at a time.
News Report Breakdown:
Who: Han Chang-su, an 80-year-old man, is the central figure. Ahn Eun-joo, CEO of Jeju Olle, also plays a key role.
What: Han Chang-su became the first
