Hankook & Group sponsors '815 Run' charity marathon for fifth consecutive year

Hankook & Group announced Tuesday that it has joined the "2026 815 Run" campaign as a sponsor for the fifth consecutive year. The charity marathon is organized by Habitat for Humanity Korea and features singer Shon.

Now in its seventh edition, the 815 Run is a fundraising marathon that honors the sacrifices of independence patriots, reflects on the meaning of Liberation Day and spreads a message of encouragement for South Korea. All entry fees and corporate sponsorship funds go through Habitat for Humanity Korea toward improving the living conditions of descendants of independence patriots.

A total of 19,450 people participated in this year's event, which was held in two formats: an in-person run and a virtual run.

The in-person run took place Saturday at Sangam World Cup Park in Mapo-gu, Seoul, along an 8.15-kilometer course.

The virtual run continues through Sunday, allowing participants to complete their distance at a time and place of their choosing and verify their finish through social media. Runners may choose from three course distances — 3.1 kilometers, 4.5 kilometers or 8.15 kilometers — each reflecting a significant date in Korean history: March 1 Independence Movement Day, the year of liberation (1945) and Liberation Day (Aug. 15).

Hankook & Group carries out a range of corporate social responsibility initiatives under its ESG brand "Driving Forward Together." The company has supported the 815 Run since 2022, backing efforts to improve housing conditions for descendants of independence patriots.

Drawing on donations from Hankook & Group and other corporate sponsors as well as individual participants, Habitat for Humanity Korea has dedicated homes to 21 families of independence patriots' descendants and is currently building 10 more — units 22 through 31.

"It is meaningful to join the 815 Run for the fifth consecutive year — a campaign that remembers the dedication of independence patriots and supports improvements to the living conditions of their descendants," a Hankook & Group official said. "We will continue to fulfill our corporate social responsibility by carrying out social contribution activities for neighbors and communities in need under the 'Driving Forward Together' framework."

Hankook & Group also sponsors the Hankook Donggeurami Partners Para-Badminton League together with the Korea Paralympic Committee, among other sports-linked social contribution activities aimed at fulfilling its corporate responsibilities.