“The water at Seokchon Lake tastes good”… Lotte Aquathlon gathers people in their 20s to 70s

“I participated last year and the water in Seokchon Lake was delicious and it was a fun competition, so I applied this year as well. I want to participate consistently every year and break the record.”

This is what Dae-gil Jeong (51), who participated in the 2024 Lotte Aquathlon held by Lotte Trading, which is carrying out the Seokchon Lake water quality improvement project together with Songpa-gu, said on the 14th.

Participants of the ‘2024 Lotte Aquathlon’ coming out following swimming in Seokchon Lake. / Provided by Lotte Shopping

Lotte Aquathlon is the world’s only competition that combines swimming and a vertical marathon, and was created by combining the Seokchon Lake swimming and Lotte World Tower’s vertical marathon, SKY RUN. This is the third year it has been held.

The competition will consist of swimming two laps (1.5km total) around Seokchon Lake and climbing 2,917 stairs from the 1st to the 123rd floor of Lotte World Tower.

This year, there were a total of 800 participants in the competition, and the registration closed early just one day following it began on the 5th of last month. This is faster than last year, when it closed in just three days. There are also regarding 200 players who participated for the second consecutive year.

Lotte has been holding Aquathlon as a way to publicize the Seokchon Lake water quality improvement project that has been underway with Songpa-gu Office since August 2021.

Both sides are improving the turbidity and cleanliness of Seokchon Lake by improving the basic water quality and suppressing the formation of green algae through eco-friendly methods using photocatalysts.

The transparency of Seokchon Lake increased from 0.6 m to a maximum of 2 m, and most water quality environmental standards were rated as grade 1.

Last May, five Lotte affiliates (Lotte Trading, Holdings, Chilsung Beverage, Department Store, and GRS) signed a business agreement for the ‘2024 Seokchon Lake Water Quality Improvement’ and are also carrying out various environmental purification activities such as tree planting and ecological monitoring.

On this day, Lotte Trading CEO Jang Jae-hoon, Songpa-gu Mayor Seo Kang-seok, Korea Triathlon Association President Lee Byeong-gi, and others attended the event to encourage the athletes. A ceremony was also held to award a scholarship of 10 million won to foster promising athletes from the Korea Triathlon Association.

In his opening remarks, Lotte Trading CEO Jang Jae-hoon said, “We welcome all the ironmen who show interest and love for Lotte Aquathlon every year,” and added, “I hope that this competition will be a place for passionate challenges and a meaningful time to think regarding the environment.”

The winners of the 2024 Lotte Aquathlon and Lotte Trading CEO Jang Jae-hoon (center) are taking a commemorative photo. / Provided by Lotte Trading

As a result of the competition, Kim Wan-hyeok (27) won first place in the men’s division with a time of 43.40 seconds, and Byeon Byun-hee (25) won first place in the women’s division with a time of 49.21 seconds.

The winners received a Signiel accommodation voucher (1st place), 4 Makinochaya Black 31 meal vouchers (2nd place), and a Spider windbreaker (3rd place) along with a medal.

After the awards ceremony, a raffle was held for contestants to win prizes such as wetsuits, tickets to Lotte World Aquarium, and Lotte Cinema movie tickets.

Kim, who took first place in the men’s division, said, “I’ve participated in many competitions, but swimming in Seokchon Lake and climbing the 123rd floor of Lotte World Tower was truly special.” He added, “The water in Seokchon Lake tasted like Arisu and the water quality was clean.”

The oldest participant in this competition, Ha Geum-bun (77), said, “I have been swimming for over 30 years, but swimming today was especially fun,” and added, “I thought it would be my last challenge, but I definitely want to participate in next year’s competition as well.”

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“I participated last year and the water in Seokchon Lake was delicious and it was a fun competition, so I applied this year as well. I want to participate consistently every year and break the record.”

This is what Dae-gil Jeong (51), a participant in the 2024 Lotte Aquathlon, said on the 14th. The event is hosted by Lotte Trading, which is collaborating with Songpa-gu on the Seokchon Lake water quality improvement project.

Participants of the ‘2024 Lotte Aquathlon’ coming out following swimming in Seokchon Lake. / Provided by Lotte Shopping

Lotte Aquathlon is a unique event that combines swimming and a vertical marathon, a combination of swimming in Seokchon Lake and the SKY RUN vertical marathon up Lotte World Tower. This is the third year it has been held.

The competition involves swimming two laps (1.5km total) around Seokchon Lake followed by climbing 2,917 stairs from the 1st to the 123rd floor of Lotte World Tower.

This year, 800 participants took part in the competition, with registration closing just one day following it began on the 5th of last month, quicker than last year when it closed in three days. Around 200 athletes participated for the second year in a row.

Lotte has been using Aquathlon as a way to raise awareness for the Seokchon Lake water quality improvement project that it has been undertaking with Songpa-gu Office since August 2021.

The project aims to improve the turbidity and cleanliness of Seokchon Lake by enhancing the overall water quality and preventing the formation of green algae using eco-friendly methods involving photocatalysts.

The transparency of Seokchon Lake has increased from 0.6 m to a maximum of 2 m, and most water quality environmental standards are now rated as grade 1.

Last May, five Lotte affiliates (Lotte Trading, Holdings, Chilsung Beverage, Department Store, and GRS) signed a business agreement for the ‘2024 Seokchon Lake Water Quality Improvement’ project, and they are also involved in various environmental purification activities, such as tree planting and ecological monitoring.

On the 14th, Lotte Trading CEO Jang Jae-hoon, Songpa-gu Mayor Seo Kang-seok, Korea Triathlon Association President Lee Byeong-gi, and other officials attended the event to cheer on the athletes. A ceremony was held to award a scholarship of 10 million won to support promising athletes from the Korea Triathlon Association.

In his opening remarks, Lotte Trading CEO Jang Jae-hoon said, “We welcome all the ironmen who show interest and love for Lotte Aquathlon every year,” and added, “I hope that this competition will be a place for passionate challenges and a meaningful time to think regarding the environment.”

The winners of the 2024 Lotte Aquathlon and Lotte Trading CEO Jang Jae-hoon (center) are taking a commemorative photo. / Provided by Lotte Trading

The results of the competition saw Kim Wan-hyeok (27) claiming first place in the men’s division with a time of 43.40 seconds, and Byeon Byun-hee (25) winning first place in the women’s division with a time of 49.21 seconds.

The winners received a Signiel accommodation voucher (1st place), 4 Makinochaya Black 31 meal vouchers (2nd place), and a Spider windbreaker (3rd place), alongside a medal.

Following the awards ceremony, a raffle was held for contestants to win prizes such as wetsuits, tickets to Lotte World Aquarium, and Lotte Cinema movie tickets.

Kim, who took first place in the men’s division, said, “I’ve participated in many competitions, but swimming in Seokchon Lake and climbing the 123rd floor of Lotte World Tower was truly special.” He added, “The water in Seokchon Lake tasted like Arisu and the water quality was clean.”

The oldest participant in this competition, Ha Geum-bun (77), said, “I have been swimming for over 30 years, but swimming today was especially fun,” and added, “I thought it would be my last challenge, but I definitely want to participate in next year’s competition as well.”

Lotte Aquathlon 2024: A Thrilling Competition Showcases Seokchon Lake’s Water Quality Improvement

The 2024 Lotte Aquathlon, held on the 14th, brought together 800 enthusiastic participants for a challenging and unique competition that highlights the remarkable water quality improvement of Seokchon Lake.

A Unique Fusion of Swimming and Vertical Marathon

The Lotte Aquathlon, now in its third year, is a unique competition that combines the thrills of swimming in Seokchon Lake with the grueling challenge of a vertical marathon in Lotte World Tower. This one-of-a-kind event showcases both the beauty of the revitalized lake and the resilience of human endurance.

A Testament to Seokchon Lake’s Transformation

Lotte Aquathlon serves as a powerful testament to the success of the Seokchon Lake water quality improvement project, a joint effort between Lotte Trading and Songpa-gu Office. Since August 2021, the collaboration has implemented eco-friendly methods, including photocatalysts, to restore the lake’s pristine condition.

The results are remarkable. The transparency of Seokchon Lake has increased significantly, with water clarity reaching a maximum of 2 meters, a significant improvement from the previous 0.6 meters. Additionally, most water quality environmental standards are now rated as grade 1, a testament to the effectiveness of the revitalization efforts.

A Commitment to Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility

Beyond the Aquathlon, Lotte Trading’s commitment to sustainability is evident through its collaboration with Songpa-gu Office. The partnership encompasses various environmental purification activities, including tree planting and ecological monitoring.

Furthermore, five Lotte affiliates, including Lotte Trading, Holdings, Chilsung Beverage, Department Store, and GRS, have signed a business agreement for the 2024 Seokchon Lake Water Quality Improvement project, solidifying their dedication to restoring the lake’s natural beauty and promoting a sustainable future.

A Celebration of Passion, Endurance, and Environmental Stewardship

The 2024 Lotte Aquathlon was more than just a competition; it was a celebration of human endurance, a testament to the success of water quality improvement efforts, and an embodiment of environmental stewardship.

The event attracted passionate athletes, both seasoned veterans and enthusiastic newcomers, who embraced the challenge of swimming in the revitalized Seokchon Lake and climbing the towering Lotte World Tower. The spirit of competition was palpable, with each participant striving for personal victory and contributing to the overall success of the event.

A Look at the Winners and Their Experiences

The race was keenly contested, with athletes from all backgrounds pushing their limits to achieve victory. Kim Wan-hyeok emerged victorious in the men’s division, securing first place with a remarkable time of 43.40 seconds. Byeon Byun-hee claimed the top spot in the women’s division with a commendable time of 49.21 seconds.

The winners were rewarded for their efforts and dedication, receiving prizes that included Signiel accommodation vouchers, Makinochaya Black 31 meal vouchers, and Spider windbreakers. These rewards served as a testament to their accomplishment and embodied the spirit of fair competition.

Beyond the pursuit of victory, the participants’ experiences highlighted the positive impact of the Seokchon Lake water quality improvement project. Kim Wan-hyeok, the men’s champion, shared his enthusiasm for the competition, emphasizing the unique experience of swimming in the revitalized lake.

Ha Geum-bun, the oldest participant at the age of 77, added another inspiring dimension to the event. His participation not only showcased the ability to overcome age-related barriers but also underscored the importance of personal challenges and the joy of participating in such a unique event.

A Lasting Legacy: Inspiring Future Generations

The 2024 Lotte Aquathlon stands as a powerful demonstration of the transformative power of collaboration and the importance of environmental stewardship. The event not only showcased the success of the Seokchon Lake water quality improvement project but also highlighted the importance of promoting a healthy and sustainable environment for future generations. The positive impact of the competition extends far beyond the race itself, inspiring individuals and organizations to embrace environmental responsibility and contribute to a more sustainable future.