2007-03-02
Speech for Peter Sullivan
Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited
Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2007
Meet the Athletes Press Conference

Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Athletes, Friends from the Media,
Thank you for joining us today at our "Meet the Athletes" press conference for the 2007 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. This year's race marks the 11th anniversary of our marathon, which has now become one of Hong Kong's signature international sporting events.

Not only has our marathon grown to over 43,000 runners this year, but we've also been able to attract a group of elite international runners participating in the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon and also in Standard Chartered's Greatest Race on Earth.

The Greatest Race on Earth is a unique relay race in the sport of marathon running. Tracking individual and team performances across four challenging marathons in Singapore, Nairobi, and Mumbai before finishing here in Hong Kong; the race has attracted 45 Professional teams and 32 National teams - all competing for more than US$1.5 million in total prizes.

A new and unique incentive has been introduced this year, as Nations Challenge teams will also be vying to bring home the GROE Gold Baton - a 9 carat, 300 gram, solid gold relay baton that has been specially commissioned for the Race. The baton will be presented to the winning team after the final leg of the GROE in Hong Kong on 4 March 2007.

The drive and determination of marathon runners is legendary. But any athlete who takes on the challenge of the four marathons in The Greatest Race on Earth deserves nothing but the highest respect. This is not a challenge to be taken lightly.

These elite runners are not only competing for the love of sport, but they are also helping to raise awareness and funds for the community - helping to support the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled, as well as Standard Chartered's Seeing is Believing programme to treat curable blindness.

In closing, I'd like to thank all of our athletes who have joined us today and are participating in this year's race. Your support has helped us to grow and nurture our marathon over the past 11 years, and we're looking forward to making the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2007 our best one yet!

Thank you.