2011-12-19
Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2012
Encouraging Response to Wheelchair Races
- 30 participants qualify for 3km wheelchair race following trial held yesterday
- Full Marathon wheelchair race expects 8 local and international participants
- International Paralympic Committee official endorses trial and route
- “As a responsible organizer we always take into consideration the health and safety of all participants. For all runners, not only the wheelchair participants, safety is our top priority.” Says William Ko, Chairman of the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2012 Organizing Committee
[Hong Kong, 19 December 2011]
The Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association (HKAAA) announced today that the health and safety test for participants in the 3km trial wheelchair race for the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2012, was a resounding success. After the trial conducted at the Shing Mun Valley Sports Ground on Sunday, (18 December 2011) as part of the process to test both their physical ability and wheelchair suitability, 30 have now qualified.
As part of the event’s aspiration to be socially responsible by ensuring diversity through inclusion, the HKAAA added a 3km event in addition to a Full Marathon wheelchair race for 2012.
William Ko, Chairman of the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2012 Organizing Committee said, “As part of our plans to develop the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon to the level of the best international marathons in the world, we have included the wheelchair categories. The response to the trial 3km race has been excellent and I am delighted to announce that 30 participants have qualified. For the Full Marathon wheelchair race, we expect to have 8 local and international participants.” He went on to say, “As a responsible organizer we always take into consideration the health and safety of all participants. For all runners, not only the wheelchair participants, safety is our top priority.”
Commenting on the safety and route review, Mr. Ko said, “We once again invited Mr. Yukio Seki, a representative of International Paralympic Committee (IPC), to review the trial event as well as consult on the overall logistics and accessibility of the race route for wheelchair participants. He was very satisfied with our arrangements and development of the race and we are very appreciative of his support.”
The details of the Marathon wheelchair races are as follows:
Full Marathon Wheelchair Event
Starting Time |
06:10 |
| Category |
Men and women will compete at the same time. Open to aged 20 or above. |
| Race Course |
Start on Nathan Road, TST (in front of The Mira Hong Kong Hotel) – Western Kowloon Highway – Stonecutters Bridge – Nam Wan Tunnel – Tsing Ma Bridge – Ting Kau Bridge – Cheung Tsing Tunnel – Tsing Kwai Highway – West Kowloon Highway – Western Harbour Tunnel – Connaught Road West Flyover – Man Kwong Street – Lung Wo Road – Convention Avenue – Lockhart Road - finish at Victoria Park |
3km Wheelchair Event
Starting Time |
06:00 |
| Category |
Men and women will compete at the same time. Open to aged 16 or above. |
| Race Course |
Start at Wan Chai Sports Ground – Marsh Road – finish at Victoria Park |
The 16th annual Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon will take place on Sunday, 5 February 2012.
~ End ~
This press release is issued by ActionHouse International on behalf of the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2012 Organizing Committee.
For media enquiries, please contact:
ActionHouse International
Prudence Tsang 3102 8105 / Eva Kan 3102 8117
Fax: 3102 8109
Email: ptsang@actionhouseintl.com / ekan@actionhouseintl.com
About the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon
The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon is Hong Kong's largest participatory annual sporting event. Commencing the first title sponsorship in 1997 with around 1,000 runners, Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited celebrates the 16th year as title sponsor and 70,000 participants for the 2012 event.
Standard Chartered also sponsors marathons in 8 other cities globally including Singapore, Mumbai, Nairobi, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Dubai, Falkland Islands and Jersey.
About the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon Charity Programme
The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon is proud to sponsor the needs of the community through its Charity Programme. Since its inception, HK$ 25 million has been raised for three charitable causes; Seeing is Believing, The Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled and The Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society (HKACS).
In 2011 HK$3.6 million was raised, largely made possible by the many thousands of inspired runners who want to make a difference to society beyond their personal reward of completing a marathon.
Donations must be made through the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon online donation portal. All donations will be directly credited to the bank accounts of the three charitable organizations without deduction of any administration expenses.
Seeing is Believing is Standard Chartered’s global community initiative to tackle avoidable blindness and raise awareness of blindness and visual impairment. In Hong Kong, the programme works closely with Orbis International by sponsoring projects which support eye restoration treatment and eye care education in China. (seeingisbelieving.org.uk)
The Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled (HKPC&SAPD) promotes sporting opportunities for disabled athletes, drives awareness of their goals and needs, and identifies and nurtures the abilities of young athletes. (www.hkparalympic.org)
The Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society (HKACS) aims to educate the public on cancer and provide support services to cancer patients and their families. In addition to one-stop medical and rehabilitation services, HKACS raises awareness of cancer and cancer prevention through different programmes and provides direct financial support for cancer patients in need. ( www.hkacs.org.hk)
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