Disabled and Non-Disabled Together... Lotte Successfully Completes 2023 Super Blue Marathon

About 8,000 Participants in Marathon... Improving Disability Awareness
Entertainment Program Expands Participation of Affiliates

Lotte announced that it successfully concluded the '2023 Super Blue Marathon' held on the 17th at the Peace Square in Peace Park, Sangam, Mapo-gu, Seoul, in collaboration with Special Olympics Korea.

On the 17th, about 8,000 people participated in the marathon race at the '2023 Super Blue Marathon' held at Peace Square in Sangam Peace Park. Lotte World's representative character 'Rori' is cheering on the participants' completion of the race.
[Photo by Lotte Holdings].

Started in 2015 and now in its 8th edition, the Super Blue Marathon was organized with the purpose of breaking down the walls of misunderstanding about disabilities by running with blue shoelaces symbolizing hope and independence. The event was attended by approximately 8,000 people, including Gap Lee, Head of Communications at Lotte Holdings, Yonghoon Lee, Chairman of Special Olympics Korea, Honorary Chairman Kyungwon Na, about 1,400 people with disabilities and their families, and Lotte employees.

Sean, a member of the hip-hop group 'Jinusean' and the promotional ambassador, along with Kang Seonah, an artist with developmental disabilities, also participated in the marathon. Before the event, Sean conducted the 'Seanshine Running Class' to train running together with people with disabilities, and Kang Seonah created the artwork for the event logo and poster.

The race was organized with several courses: the Super Blue Course (5 km) where people with and without disabilities ran together starting from Peace Square, a 5 km course inside the park, a 10 km course extending to Sky Park and Sunset Park, and a half marathon course turning back at Magok Bridge.

To differentiate the event as a 'joyful running festival created together by people with and without disabilities,' entertainment elements and participation from Lotte affiliates were expanded. Before the start, cheerleaders performed a boom-up show, and after the marathon, celebratory performances were held by 'Aria Nanta,' a percussion team composed of people with disabilities, magician 'Showgang,' and the mixed group 'Koyote.'

Lotte affiliates also joined in improving awareness of disabilities. Lotte World’s representative characters, Loti and Lori, cheered on the participants. Lotte Chilsung Beverage operated water stations along the course providing water and drinks, and Lotte Wellfood provided snacks. Canon Korea deployed a medical support volunteer team to prepare for emergencies and ensure the safe progress of the event. Various affiliates such as Lotte GRS, Lotte Hi-Mart, Seven Eleven, and Lotte Cultureworks supported with prizes and giveaways. Lotte Chemical and Lotte Aluminium operated a PET bottle recycling experience booth to raise awareness about resource circulation.

Meanwhile, since establishing the Diversity Charter in 2013, Lotte has applied diversity values throughout its group management by holding diversity forums, expanding hiring of people with disabilities, and fostering foreign employees.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.