More than 1,600 athletes with disabilities and pair-up runners competed in the "i-Run – Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2012" today (8 January). With funding from the Club's Charities Trust, the special marathon was organised by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs) to promote social inclusion and demonstrate the potential of people with intellectual disabilities.
The Jockey Club's Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges joined TWGHs Chairman Charles Chang, Vice-Chancellor and President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Professor Joseph Sung and local outstanding athlete So Wah-wai to cheer the runners at the University's Sir Philip Haddon-Cave Sports Field.
Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges noted that the Club has been supporting Tung Wah to provide quality services to the community for more than 70 years, and the Trust was particularly delighted to sponsor this event with its HK$845,000 donation. "The intended purpose to promote social inclusion has been well demonstrated here today, with more than 1,600 able-bodied and disabled runners from not only Hong Kong, but also Guangdong Province, Macau and Taiwan participating in the special marathon. That's a remarkable 62 per cent increase over last year. I am also pleased to see some members of the Club's CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team involved as pair-up runners or on-site helpers."
According to their ability, each disabled runner was paired up with an able-bodied participant to compete in either the 3-km Race or 5-km Challenge Race. They also attended pre-race trainings to get to know each other and develop a closer rapport.
One of the runners, 41-year-old Pang Mo-keung, who has mild intellectual disabilities, loves running so much that this year he joined the longer 5 km Challenge Race. His pair-up runner Daniel Leung appreciated the opportunity to learn how to communicate with people with intellectual disabilities and to share his passion for the marathon.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has become one of Hong Kong's best known and respected organisations, providing the public with world-class sporting entertainment as well as being the city’s major non-Government community benefactor, now donating more than HK$1 billion a year to charitable and community projects. It has been a part of Hong Kong through good times and bad, sharing the city's growth and development with its people, and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for future generations.
|
The Club's Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (left) receives a souvenir from a disabled athlete (right) and says it is very encouraging to have more than 1,600 able-bodied and disabled runners from Hong Kong, Guangdong Province, Macau and Taiwan at today's special marathon.
|
The Club's Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (4th right), TWGHs Chairman Charles Chang (1st right), CUHK Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Joseph Sung (3rd right) and Hong Kong outstanding athlete So Wa-wai (5th right) fire the starting gun of "i-Run a£á¡§ Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2012".
|
|
The Club's Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (front row, 1st right) and winners of 5-km Challenge Race (Male Group).
|
The Club's Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (back row, 10th left) and Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (back row, 8th left), pictured with the Club's CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members and runners with intellectual disabilities.
|
|
The Club's Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (3rd right) and Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (2nd right), TWGHs Chairman Charles Chang (2nd left), Chief Executive Stephen Ng (1st left), Ambassador Wong Cho-lam (1st right) and Hong Kong outstanding athlete So Wa-wai (3rd left).
|
Guests and participants of "i-Run a£á¡§ Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2012".
|
|
More than 1,600 athletes with disabilities and pair-up runners participate in the "i-Run a£á¡§ Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2012" to promote social inclusion.
|
Running enthusiast Pang Mo-keung (right) and his pair-up runner Daniel Leung (left). They are ranked 9th in the 5-km Challenge Race (Male Group).
|
