Corporate News

Record number compete in HKJC Special Marathon

01/15/2017

A record-breaking 3,800 athletes with intellectual disabilities and their pair-up runners competed in the i-Run – Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon today (15 January) to promote social inclusion. This year, the Marathon took place on the Central and Western District Promenade.

Funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust with a HK$6.82 million donation over three years, the i-Run is organised by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs). Among the crowd cheering on the runners were Club Steward Michael T H Lee, Acting Financial Secretary Professor K C Chan, TWGHs Chairman Katherine Ma, LegCo Member Bottle Shiu Ka-chun, Hong Kong Police Force Central District Commander Chan Joon-sun, outstanding local disabled athlete So Wa-wai and ambassador Cheung Yin-pok.

“We have supported the i-Run for six consecutive years. It is encouraging to see that the scale of the event gets bigger every year and it engages more and more people,” said Mr Lee. “As a major charitable organisation in Hong Kong, the Club will continue to work with TWGHs to contribute to the community.”

While a majority of today’s participants were from Hong Kong, many joined the event from Mainland China, Macau or Taiwan.  Each disabled runner was paired with a volunteer to compete in either a 3 km or 5.7 km challenge race.  Pre-race training sessions were organised for the pair-up partners to get to know each other better and build closer rapport.  Some 90 members of the Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team made their own personal contribution to the i-Run’s success by serving as pair-up runners or on-site helpers.

To encourage the public to develop a ‘slow living’ habit, a 1 km Mindful Run was added this year. As part of the Club’s support, TWGHs has also established the i-Runners’ Club which brings together those with intellectual disabilities and people interested in running, helping to improve their physical fitness and promote an inclusive society through participation in sport. Qualified coaching experts provide regular training for the participants in different parts of Hong Kong. For details, please visit http://i-run.tungwahcsd.org/training_en.html.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a not-for-profit enterprise dedicated to community betterment. Through its integrated business model of world-class racing, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charity and community contribution, the Club generates substantial economic and social value and assists the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2015/16 the Club donated a record HK$3.9 billion to charity and paid a record HK$20.9 billion in tax. It is Hong Kong’s largest single tax payer and one of the world’s largest charity donors. Committed to global excellence and giving back to society, the Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.

Club Steward Michael T H Lee says the Club has supported the i-Run for six consecutive years and it is encouraging to see that the scale of the event gets bigger every year and it engages more and more people.
Club Steward Michael T H Lee says the Club has supported the i-Run for six consecutive years and it is encouraging to see that the scale of the event gets bigger every year and it engages more and more people.

Club Steward Michael T H Lee (centre) receives a souvenir from Acting Financial Secretary Professor K C Chan (left) and TWGHs Chairman Katherine Ma (right).
Club Steward Michael T H Lee (centre) receives a souvenir from Acting Financial Secretary Professor K C Chan (left) and TWGHs Chairman Katherine Ma (right).

Club Steward Michael T H Lee (left) and Acting Financial Secretary Professor K C Chan (right) picture with Nurse Hong of the Cluba£į?s a£į?Progressing Together Cheering Teama£į? (centre).
Club Steward Michael T H Lee (left) and Acting Financial Secretary Professor K C Chan (right) picture with Nurse Hong of the Cluba£į?s a£į?Progressing Together Cheering Teama£į? (centre).

Photos 4 /5:<br>
Some 3,800 athletes with disabilities and pair-up runners participate in the i-Run a£į”§ Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2017 to promote social inclusion.
Photos 4 /5:
Some 3,800 athletes with disabilities and pair-up runners participate in the i-Run a£į”§ Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2017 to promote social inclusion.


Photos 6/7:<br>
The CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members picture with and runners.
Photos 6/7:
The CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members picture with and runners.


Group photo.
Group photo.

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