Lotte Group to Host Super Blue Marathon on Hangul Day, Bringing People with and without Disabilities Together

[Financial News] Lotte Group will host the Super Blue Marathon, where people with and without disabilities run together to promote greater awareness of disabilities.
Lotte Group said on the 3rd that it will hold the 11th Super Blue Marathon on the 9th of next month at Peace Plaza in Peace Park, Mapo District, Seoul. The Super Blue Marathon is Lotte Group’s signature social contribution program, in which people with and without disabilities run and interact while wearing blue shoelaces symbolizing hope and independence for people with disabilities.
The event will feature four courses: a 1.6-kilometer Super Blue Walk and a 5-kilometer Super Blue course open to participants with and without disabilities, as well as 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer courses for participants without disabilities. The entry fee is 30,000 won for participants without disabilities, while participants with disabilities may take part free of charge, along with up to three additional people.
Since 2013, Lotte Group has conducted the Blue Campaign with Special Olympics Korea, an organization that supports sports activities for people with developmental disabilities, to promote the proper use of language and improve awareness of people with disabilities. “BLUE” stands for “Beautiful Language Use will Echo” and conveys the meaning that “beautiful words create an echo.”
Lotte Group expanded the purpose of the Blue Campaign into activities involving people with and without disabilities and has held the Super Blue Marathon annually since 2015. The cumulative number of participants has reached approximately 80,000.
Lotte Group affiliates will also support participants through a variety of programs at this year’s marathon. Lotty and Lorry, the signature characters of Lotte World, will perform, while Lotte Wellfood and Lotte Chilsung Beverage will provide snacks and drinks. Lotte Chemical will operate a recycling booth, and Canon Korea will host a photo-zone event. SOK Ensemble, made up of musicians with developmental disabilities, will also perform.
This year, organizers will highlight the message “Let’s use respectful language toward people with disabilities,” taking into account that the event will be held on October 9, Hangul Day. The campaign aims to introduce appropriate language related to disabilities and convey the importance of improving awareness of disabilities.
A Lotte Group official said, “The Super Blue Marathon is meaningful because people with and without disabilities walk and run together while gaining a better understanding of one another’s differences.” The official added, “As we mark Hangul Day this year, we hope the event will encourage people to reflect on the words and expressions they use in everyday life and naturally promote a proper understanding of disabilities.”
[email protected] Jang Yu-ha Reporter