Mercedes-Benz Hosts 'Give and Race' in Busan... Largest Donation Amount Ever Raised

by Woo Sooyoun

Published 03 Apr.2023 10:56(KST)

The Mercedes-Benz Social Contribution Committee announced on the 3rd that it held the '10th Mercedes-Benz GIVE ‘N RACE' event face-to-face in Busan Metropolitan City on the 2nd for the first time in three years. Through this event, a record-breaking donation amount of 1 billion KRW was raised.

Mercedes-Benz GIVE ‘N RACE is a donation culture expansion campaign started to support education and medical expenses for vulnerable children and adolescents in Korea. It began in 2017. It is a representative activity of the Benz Social Contribution Committee, and all participation fees are donated.

Thomas Klein, Chairman of the Mercedes-Benz Social Contribution Committee, said, "The ‘Mercedes-Benz GIVE ‘N RACE,’ which aims to practice sharing through running, was held face-to-face in Busan for its 10th edition," adding, "I am very pleased to run together while wishing for the hosting of the '2030 Busan World Expo.'"

Participants of the 10th Mercedes-Benz Give and Race, held on the 2nd in Busan Metropolitan City, are starting the race. [Photo by Mercedes-Benz Korea]

This race saw participants join face-to-face for the first time in three years since the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the first event in 2017, a record number of about 18,000 runners registered.

Chairman Klein personally handed over 500 million KRW of the total 1 billion KRW raised to Park Hyung-joon, Mayor of Busan, on the day of the event. The fund will be used to support medical and educational needs of children and adolescents in the Busan area.

The remaining 500 million KRW will be used nationwide for medical and educational support for children and adolescents through the social welfare corporation Children and Future Foundation. The Mercedes-Benz Social Contribution Committee has achieved a cumulative total of about 105,000 participants and approximately 5.6 billion KRW in donations through 10 GIVE ‘N RACE events to date.

Notably, this GIVE ‘N RACE was held on a course over Gwangandaegyo Bridge, a symbol of Busan, to support the bid for the '2030 Busan World Expo.' Popular musicians performed congratulatory shows at the event site, and various attractions such as photo zones and SNS events were prepared.