“Gayeon and Nayoon, fighting!”
On the 20th at 3 p.m. at Lotte World Tower in Jamsil, Seoul. Children wearing light green T-shirts held their mom or dad's hand and shouted slogans together in front of the starting line. They are participants in the kids institutional sector of the only vertical marathon competition in the country, Sky Run.
Sky Run is a unique sports competition where participants challenge their limits by climbing 2,917 stairs up to the 123rd floor, 555 meters high, of Lotte World Tower. The competition is open to anyone, regardless of age and gender, with a total of 2,100 participants in both the competitive and non-competitive institutional sectors. It is hosted by Lotte Property & Development.
This year, particularly, programs such as the 'Kids Sky Run' with guardians are being held for the first time in the non-competitive institutional sector. Parent and child participants wore light green T-shirts, different from the mint color of general participants, as they ascended the tower. Lee Myung-joo (42), who participated with her 7-year-old child, said, “Even if it takes a long time, the experience of completing the climb to the 123rd floor will be a precious memory for both my child and me.”
In the non-competitive institutional sector, various challenges were emphasized. The age range of participants varied from a 16-month-old baby held in a parent's arms to the oldest participant at 77 years old.
Jang Jae-hoon, CEO of Lotte Property & Development, noted in his opening speech, “This competition is held under the theme of 'A beautiful challenge together with love'” and “I hope all participants heading to the highest point in Korea, the 123rd floor, will achieve great satisfaction and special memories.”
Firefighters and police also participated. Twenty-five firefighters from Seoul wore firefighting gear, helmets, and air respirators for training and participated. The Coast Guard also ascended the stairs as a group. Firefighter Lee Han-hee from Eunpyeong Fire Station said, “I participated to feel my limits” and “There is no time limit, but I will do my best to climb.”
◇The competitive institutional sector saw new records for both men and women... Increasing proportion of foreign participants
Earlier, in the competitive institutional sector that started at 9 a.m. this year, both men and women broke their own records. In the men's institutional sector, last year's winner, Ahn Bong-jun (37), held his title with a time of 18 minutes and 32 seconds, which is one minute faster than last year.
In the women's institutional sector, 53-year-old Kim Hyun-ja defeated last year's champion Kim Bo-bae to win first place. Kim recorded a time of 21 minutes and 8 seconds. He said, “I ran thinking of my husband. I am happy,” and “I plan to buy something nice for my husband with the prize money.”
Prizes such as 1.23 million won in Lotte vouchers, a two-person meal voucher for Signiel Seoul, and Spider products worth 300,000 won will be given to the top three male and female participants with excellent records in the competitive institutional sector.
That day, various booths were set up by Lotte Group affiliates, including Lotte On, LOTTE Chilsung Beverage, and Lotte Medical Foundation, for promotion, and the main title sponsor, Spider, set up a massage booth for participants that was very popular.
Near the starting line, a sports taping company, Nasara Taping, provided taping for participants. All proceeds from the participation fees for this competition will be donated in full under the personal name of participants to 'Bobas Children's Hospital.'
According to Lotte Property & Development, the proportion of foreign participants also increased this year. Participants came from approximately 18 countries, including the United Kingdom, France, India, and Malaysia.
In particular, the 'Global Seoul Mate' from the Seoul Tourism Foundation, composed of foreign influencers, participated. Diana Durante, a participant from Mexico, said, “Sky Run seems to be a very unique experience that can only be enjoyed in Seoul,” and “I want to practice more and participate again next time.”
Lotte Property & Development plans to gradually expand the proportion of foreign participation through Sky Run promotion in the future.
Song Hye-rim, head of the marketing team at Lotte Property & Development, said, “This year, we prepared together with the Seoul Tourism Foundation, which resulted in more foreign participants,” and “As an event representing Korea’s landmark, we will continue to prepare it as an event that more customers and foreign tourists can enjoy.”