Kiwoom Securities said on April 19 that it successfully staged the barrier-free short-distance marathon \"2026 Kiwoom Run,\" which brought together runners with and without disabilities.
Barrier-free refers to environments without physical or institutional obstacles that impede people with disabilities. The Kiwoom Run was held on April 18 at the Cultural Square area of Yeouido Park, two days before the Day of Persons with Disabilities (April 20). This was the event's second year.
Under clear, sunny skies and cheered on by Kiwoom Heroes cheerleaders, 5,000 participants set off in waves for the 5 km (3.1 miles) and 10 km (6.2 miles) races. That represents a 2.5-fold increase from last year's 2,025 entrants, and registration filled quickly on a first-come, first-served basis.
Emphasizing participation over competition, the event produced many moving moments. Visually impaired runners gripped their guide runners' hands and pressed forward; participants ran alongside people in wheelchairs; and families enjoyed the course pushing strollers—scenes uncommon at typical road races. Forty members of VMK, a running crew for visually impaired athletes, also completed the course with guide runners.
Organizers showed careful attention to creating a barrier-free environment across the venue. Disability- and senior-friendly medical booths, wheelchair inspection and repair stations, quiet rooms for people with developmental disabilities, and pain-management booths were all in operation. The stage program provided live captioning and sign-language interpretation. Organizers also ran a video training program to prepare volunteers to serve as \"together runners\" who assist wheelchair users, visually impaired runners, and novice runners. About 1,000 people who completed the training ran wearing stickers that read, \"Call me if you need help — Together Runner.\"
The post-race program offered a range of activities celebrating finishers. As the main sponsor and the market leader in domestic stock brokerage, Kiwoom Securities held a raffle awarding domestic stocks worth a total of 20 million KRW (approximately $15,000). Excitement and tension peaked when raffle numbers for high-value stocks such as SK Hynix and Hanwha Aerospace were announced.
Other attractions included a roulette event, temporary tattoo sticker booths, and sports-taping stations. Kiwoom DRX and the Kiwoom Heroes also operated event booths, adding to the day's attractions.
Kiwoom Securities donated all event costs to Muui, the nonprofit organizer, and also donated all participant entry fees. The funds will support accessibility improvements, including creating a Seoul subway transfer map for wheelchair and stroller users. Corporate supporters that backed the Kiwoom Run's mission included Lotte Chilsung Beverage; Korea Ginseng Corporation; Orion; Doosan; Helinox; Kiwoom DRX; and the Kiwoom Heroes.
Hong Yun-hee, chair of Muui, said, \"More than 1,000 people participated in the 'Together Runner' training, helping barrier-free running culture spread more widely. We will work to ensure the Kiwoom Run's spirit of running together continues in everyday life.\"
Um Joo-sung, CEO of Kiwoom Securities, said, \"Once again this year, Yeouido was filled with moving scenes of people with and without disabilities running together. We will continue to support the Kiwoom Run so it becomes a leading forum that breaks down the barriers of disability.\"
Reporter Eunji Jeong blue@viva100.com
