[Hong Kong, 30 September 2010]: Standard Chartered
Bank (Hong Kong) Limited and the Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association
(HKAAA) announced at a press conference today that the 15th running
of the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon will take place on Sunday,
20 February 2011. The Marathon will have a quota of 65,000 runners—a
record for the event.
Reflecting the growing popularity of the event and
the sport of running in Hong Kong, Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association
(HKAAA), the organiser, is planning one more Full Marathon and Half
Marathon each, making it a total of 2 Full Marathon races and 3 Half
Marathon races as well as keeping five 10km races for the 2011 event.
Used for the first time in the 2010 race, the path along Route 8 between
Tsing Yi and Cheung Sha Wan will remain part of the Full Marathon in
2011. The Island Eastern Corridor (IEC) will continue to be the race
route for the 10km race. Hoping to attract more elite international
runners to join this top marathon in Asia, the total prize money for
2011 has been increased to US$150,000, nearly double what was awarded
in 2010.
The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2011 also
marks the third year of the Leaders Cup, a 1.8km race for business and
community leaders. Inaugurated in 2009, the Leaders Cup has driven interest
in the Marathon and become a highly anticipated part of the event, helping
raise funds for Standard Chartered’s charity initiative “Seeing
is Believing”, a global initiative to fight avoidable blindness.
Benjamin Hung, Executive Director and Chief Executive
Officer of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited said, ’Standard
Chartered is honoured to be the title sponsor for 15 years. Our slogan
for this year, “Join the race, share the spirit”, communicates
our desire to see everyone in the city showing their support for the
Marathon and its charity programme and celebrating the winning heart
of Hong Kong. Whether they’re running or cheering on their families
and friends, we look forward to seeing people out on the streets on
20 February 2011.”
“Over the past 14 years, the Marathon has become
increasingly popular among runners and participation levels have reached
record highs. By increasing the prize money to US$150,000, we are confident
this year’s race will attract more top elite international runners,” said
Mr. Alex Moh, President of the Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association.”
The press conference was hosted by Mr. Hung; Mr. Moh;
Mr. Kwan Kee, Chairman of the Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association;
and Mr. William Ko, Chairman of the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon
2011 Organising Committee. Hong Kong Athletic Team Marathon Training
Squad members Mr. Choi Tat-ming and Ms. Chan Kit Yee, as well as the
disable athlete also participated the chit-chat sessions to share their
experience and aspiration.
Special incentives and prizes for Hong Kong Permanent
Residents are offered once again. Men who finish the
Full Marathon in under 3:00:00 and women in under 3:30:00 will receive
an award of HK$1,000.
Also, the first three finishers in the Full Marathon
Challenge, Half-Marathon Challenge and 10km Challenge Races who are
Permanent Residents will
be awarded special prize money.
Runners interested in the 2011 race can register starting
today. Entry forms are available at the HKAAA office (Room 2015 Olympic
House, 1 Stadium Path, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong) and all Standard Chartered
Bank branches in Hong Kong. The entry fee for local and overseas runners
is HK$300 before 31 December 2010. Applicants can also register online
via the official website, www.hkmarathon.com. Information about the
Marathon is available on the official website or by calling the official
hotline on 2577-0800.
Other sponsors of the 15th Standard Chartered Hong
Kong Marathon include the Western Harbour Tunnel Company Limited, Citizen
Watches (H.K.) Limited, Watsons Water, New Balance Athletic Shoes (Hong
Kong) Limited, Crown Motors Limited, PURE Fitness, Regal Hotels International,
POAD Group Limited and RYDERS EYEWEAR by murk and tinted. Supporting
organisations are the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Transport Infrastructure
Management Limited, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the
Major Sports Events Committee, the Information Services Department,
and Television Broadcasts Limited.
--- End ---
Notes to Editors:
High resolution photos and Standard Chartered Hong Kong
Marathon 2011 Course Map are available at:
ftp://ghhk_scbm1:ghhk_scbm@oma-ext.interpublic.com/
Released on behalf of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong
Kong) Limited by GolinHarris.
For more information please contact:
Photo captions
 |
| Photo 1 |
| Benjamin Hung, Executive Director and
Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited,
aspires to make the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon the most
distinguished marathon in Asia, which unites Hong Kong and benefits
the whole community. |
| |
 |
| Photo 2 |
| Benjamin Hung, Executive Director and
Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited
(2nd from right); Alex Moh, President of the Hong Kong Amateur Athletic
Association (2nd from left); Kwan Kee, Chairman of the Hong Kong Amateur
Athletic Association (1st from right); and William Ko, Chairman of
the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2011 Organising Committee
(1st from left) officiate at the Launch Ceremony of the Standard Chartered
Hong Kong Marathon 2011. |
| |
 |
| Photo 3 |
| (From left to right) Hong Kong Athletic
Team Marathon Training Squad members Mr. Choi Tat-ming; Ms. Chan Kit
Yee; the disabled athlete Mr. Lam Tak Kwan, as well as Mrs. Theresa
Chow, Head of Relationship Sales, SME Banking, Standard Chartered Bank
(Hong Kong) Limited share their experiences and aspirations during
the chit-chat sessions. |
| |
 |
| Photo 4 |
| Benjamin Hung, Executive Director and
Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited
(4th from right), encourages the community to “Join the Race,
Share the Spirit ” together with officiating guests and athletes. |
| |
