CU Hosts '2020 Virtual 815 Run' for 75th Anniversary of Liberation Day

Singer Sean Collaborates with Prospecs and Naver Happybean

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] BGF Retail, operator of convenience store CU, announced on the 2nd that it is recruiting participants for the '2020 Virtual 815 Run' in collaboration with singer Sean, Prospecs, and Naver Happybean until the 6th of this month to commemorate the 75th Liberation Day.

The virtual run is a new concept marathon where participants complete a set distance at their preferred time and place. It maintains the marathon's meaning of running together toward a common goal while actively participating in social distancing through contactless (untact) running.

The 2020 Virtual 815 Run is a participatory donation challenge linking Liberation Day and untact running. When 815 participants run 8.15 km and upload their running verification photos on their personal social network services (SNS), BGF Retail, Prospecs, and partner companies will each donate 8.15 million KRW to Naver Happybean.

Twelve partner companies including Sajo Daerim, Harim, Lotte Ham, Crown Confectionery, Korea Haagen-Dazs, Kwangdong Samdasoo, Muhak, Hite Jinro, OB Beer, Clean Country, SG Life Safety, and Wellkips have confirmed their participation in this donation, and more partners are expected to join until the event closes.

Before the challenge, ambassador singer Sean held an opening ceremony on the 30th in front of the statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin at Gwanghwamun and asked for active participation and interest. Singer Sean will lead this race by running approximately 81.5 km from dawn to sunset on the 15th of this month.

General participants wishing to join can register by paying a participation fee of 45,000 KRW through the reservation service in CU’s membership app ‘Pocket CU’ until the 6th. The number of participants is limited to the first 3,000 registrants. All participants will receive a running package containing a Prospecs running T-shirt and cap designed with the Taegeukgi (Korean national flag), and a commemorative medal. The funds raised from participation fees and donations will be fully delivered to Korea Habitat, which carries out housing improvement projects for descendants of independence activists through Naver Happybean.

Additionally, CU will hold an event from the 5th of this month until the end of August, where 400 customers who purchase representative products from partner companies participating in the donation and accumulate more than 10 Pocket CU stamps will receive running socks from Socks Up as a gift to encourage customer interest and participation.

Yang Jae-seok, head of marketing at BGF Retail, said, “Although everyone is going through a difficult time due to COVID-19, we planned the virtual run to share the meaningful day of the 75th Liberation Day with our customers. Going forward, CU will actively carry out various activities to overcome difficulties with the nation and practice patriotism as Korea’s representative convenience store.”