Mercedes-Benz Korea’s charitable marathon is most unique in size, format: CEO

Mercedes-Benz Korea CEO Mathias Vaitl speaks during a media roundtable in Busan, Saturday. Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Korea

BUSAN — Mercedes-Benz Korea’s flagship charity program, GIVE ’N RACE, stands out for its exceptional scale and distinctive format, making it unique among the German automaker’s charitable initiatives worldwide, its CEO Mathias Vaitl said Saturday during a media roundtable.

Vaitl, who also serves as chairman of Mercedes-Benz Korea’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Committee, oversees the event held in the southeastern port city. Now in its 13th year, the program has grown into one of the company’s most influential social programs, drawing tens of thousands of participants each year.

“I would say this is very unique from its pure size, and Korea is on top of that in terms of CSR activities,” he said.

The committee donates money raised from the annual charity run to the Kids & Future Foundation. The organization raised a record-breaking 1.02 billion won ($677,000) this year.

“This year’s event is unique in that 20,000 participants booked out in 15 minutes, which is a new record,” he said.

"We appreciate because we see that people appreciate what we are doing with that money and that there is really something which greatly contributes to society.”

Participants in this year's GIVE 'N RACE charity run set off along Gwangalli Beach in Busan, Sunday. Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Korea

The head of the carmaker is well-known as an avid runner, and has participated in the program each year since 2024, after taking office as CEO of Mercedes-Benz Korea in September 2023.

As he is scheduled to end his term by the end of June and return to the German headquarters, this year’s event marked his last official race as the chief of the company.

He also underscored the firm’s strong commitment to children.

“It is very true that children have always been a special focus for us,” he said.

“This is because children are the weakest people and, if they need support, we have a special heart for them. We see the biggest added value when doing something for children.”

GIVE ’N RACE, launched in 2017, has grown into one of the carmaker’s flagship social programs, gaining strong popularity with the public.

He spoke highly of the event's unique donation format, as participants’ entry fees are fully donated for the society.

“This event here places a key focus on the CSR,” he said. “It is not about being the fastest, but it is about participating and that is what I actually like the most. We do business, but being a responsible corporate citizen is what we want to be.”