Finishing itself was a dream. I waited four years to take part with my grandson, but he couldn't get a ticket during registration, so I had to go up alone.
At 1 p.m. on the 19th at the start line of the 8th SKY Run held at Lotte World Tower in Jamsil, Seoul, Kim Yong-jin, 83, said, "I took part in the vertical marathons at the 63 Building in Yeouido and the POSCO Tower in Songdo, Incheon, but never in the SKY Run. I prepared by walking 30,000 steps a day." Kim is the oldest participant in this year's SKY Run.
The SKY Run is an unusual sports event in which participants challenge their own limits by climbing 2,917 steps up 555 meters to the 123rd floor of Lotte World Tower. The event is open to everyone, young and old. Launched in 2017 and now in its eighth year, this year's SKY Run drew a total of 2,200 participants across elite, general, and kids categories. It is hosted by Lotte Property & Development.
In the opening remarks, Lotte Property & Development CEO Jang Jae-hoon said, "The journey of climbing to the 123rd floor has become more than a simple race; it has become a journey symbolizing the joy of surpassing one's limits," adding, "Entry fees will be donated to help the rehabilitation of children with physical difficulties." According to Lotte Property & Development, all entry fees will be donated to the Bobath Children's Rehabilitation Center under the Lotte Medical Foundation as a development fund. About 12,000 people had participated cumulatively through last year.
This time, the elite category and the "Kids SKY Run" category were newly established. The elite category features competition among overseas elite athletes and past winners, and the Kids SKY Run is a race where a guardian runs with a child. Child runners racing with their parents wore light green bibs. Before the main event began, participants were near the starting point at Arena Plaza, taping their knees and stretching to warm up.
Im Dong-gyu, 45, said, "It's my first entry this year, and my goal is to finish within 30 minutes," adding, "After registering for the event, I practiced by climbing the stairs at my company every lunch break." Im's spouse and children cheered, saying, "Go, dad!"
Participants in unusual outfits were also seen throughout the venue. Korea Coast Guard employees took part in their uniforms. One participant crossed the finish line wearing a dark gray suit and dress shoes. Wi Tae-seong, 44, said, "I was inspired after seeing runners wearing suits at other marathons, so at last year's Signature 63 Run (vertical marathon at the 63 Building) I also went up in a suit and dress shoes," adding, "It was tough from the start, but I'm happy because I think I came in within my target time."
Some participants wore wearable robots. They took part in a demonstration of the Hypershell product unveiled by Lotte Shopping's e-commerce platform Lotte ON. Hypershell by VD Robotics is an AI wearable robot worn around the waist and legs that helps with walking and climbing up and down stairs. It officially launched on Lotte ON this time. A Lotte ON official said, "We participated to allow people to directly confirm on site the product's characteristics that help users exercise with efficient movement."
Participants from overseas also stood out. According to Lotte Property & Development, vertical marathoners and influencers from 20 countries, including Japan, Spain, Taiwan, and Malaysia, took part this year. Patricia, 41, from Spain, said, "Climbing the stairs was really hard. But I'm happy now that I finished," adding, "I'm enjoying the experience itself rather than the time." Her partner Marc, 41, said, "We travel to running events around the world and enter various races. This is our second challenge at the SKY Run after last year," adding, "We also plan to participate in the Taipei 101 vertical marathon in a few weeks."
At 9:30 a.m., the elite category also held an awards ceremony for first through third place for both men and women. The winners in both the men's and women's races were athletes from Japan. They received, along with their medals, a commemorative gold coin weighing 5.55 grams symbolizing the tower's 555-meter height.
In the men's category, Japan's Yoji Watanabe took first in 16 minutes, 8 seconds. An Bong-jun (17:17) and So Wei-ching (17:47) followed right behind. In the women's category, Japan's Yoko Tateishi topped the podium in 21:19. Kim Bo-bae (22:31) and Park Da-jeong (23:44) placed second and third, respectively.
Watanabe, 42, met right after the ceremony, said, "From the 100th floor, it was the toughest part. I even wondered if I might die," but added, "I was happy to reach the finish first." Tateishi, 40, also said, "My target was in the 21-minute range, so I'm disappointed I didn't reach it," but added, "I want to become No. 1 in the vertical marathon world." Park Da-jeong, 35, who finished third this year as in 2023, said, "This is my fourth time only at the SKY Run," adding, "I'm satisfied because I cut my time from the 25-minute range to the 23-minute range."