2006-10-04
Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2007
Speech for Press Conference on 4 October 2006
For Mr. Alex Moh Ho Chap, President, HKAAA

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome and thank you for attending this press announcement for the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2007.

The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon has been held for 10 years since 1997, and it is now striding to the 11th Anniversary next year. The entries of this largest local sporting event reached over 40,000 this year. From past experience, 80% of the quota were received before the early bird deadline. In order to accommodate more runners, we increased the quota to 45,500 for 2007 Marathon and we are very confident that we would reach the quota again in the coming event.

I would like to express our appreciation for the strong support from the HKSAR Government for the past 10 years in helping us organize this event. The contribution from HKSAR Government is one of the most important elements to make this event successful.

I am greatly thankful to Standard Chartered Bank for their continued Title Sponsorship for this prestigious international sporting event once again in 2007. I also would like to thank other sponsors and supporting organizations for their contributions including New Balance Athletic Shoes (Hong Kong) Limited, Hotel Miramar Hong Kong, Watsons Water, Citizen Watch (H.K.) Ltd., Hong Kong Tourism Board, Western Harbour Tunnel Company Limited, and Tsing Ma Management Limited.

With all these supports put together from our title sponsors, Standard Chartered Bank, other co-sponsors, and organizations, The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon will continue be a major sporting international event held in Hong Kong in the year 2007.

I am excited to share this healthy and meaningful sporting event with you for the enjoyment of our citizens.