OCI Holdings staff volunteer as guide runners at visually impaired marathon

By Park Hye-won, The Herald Business

OCI Holdings announced Monday that it hosted the 12th Eoulim Marathon for the Visually Impaired, with employees from its affiliates volunteering at the event.

On June 13 morning, more than 80 employees and family members from six affiliates — OCI Holdings, OCI Co., OCI Information & Communications, OCI Dream, OCI SE and Bukwang Pharmaceutical — gathered at Peace Plaza in Sangam World Cup Park to serve as guide runners and take part in plogging activities.

OCI Group has maintained its "Light-Sharing Companion Runner" volunteer program since 2009, fielding guide runners twice a year for visually impaired marathoners affiliated with the Visually Impaired Marathon Korea.

Now in its 12th year, the Eoulim Marathon brings together disabled and non-disabled participants in a marathon and walking event aimed at raising awareness about disability in Korean society. This year, 48 companion runners completed half-marathon, 10-kilometer and 5-kilometer courses starting from the plaza in front of Peace Park, each paired with a visually impaired marathoner and connected by a specially designed Trust String tied around their wrists.

Beginner runners and families with children took on the 5-kilometer course at a light jog or walk, while employees not running served as event staff or joined plogging — picking up litter while jogging or walking.

"OCI Group employees and their families have kept up the Light-Sharing Companion Runner volunteer program for 18 years, united in one purpose," said Cha Jeong-hwan, senior managing director of OCI Holdings' external affairs division. "We will continue to build a culture of healthy giving by sustaining charitable, volunteer and environmental activities driven by the voluntary participation of our employees."