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©UNICEF HK/2018

HONG KONG, 25 November 2018 – The 13th UNICEF Charity Run, organized by the Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF HK), successfully concluded today. HK$12 million is expected to be raised from more than 13,000 runners in support of UNICEF’s global programme against AIDS, which aims to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, close the HIV treatment gap, prevent HIV in adolescents and provide counselling and support for mothers and children affected by HIV and AIDS.

The event, held at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, attracted a diverse group of participants, such as professional runners, elite althetes, KOLs, business leaders, individual runners, families, and UNICEF HK Ambassador Mr Wong Kam-po.

Mrs Carrie Lam, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, accompanied by Mr Henry Tang, UNICEF HK Honorary Adviser, and Ms Judy Chen, Chairman of UNICEF HK, officiated at the prize presentation ceremony. Mrs Lam commended UNICEF HK’s efforts in organizing UNICEF Charity Run to support the global campaign against AIDS in the past years. She hoped everyone would continue to support UNICEF’s work in building a more child-friendly environment.

Ms Judy Chen expressed her gratitude to all the sponsors and supporters. “I am pleased to see a large number of people joining us for the well-being of our children each year. Our success wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity of our sponsors and supporters. Thank you for all of your efforts, we can continue to support UNICEF’s global work for children. I look forward to strengthening the partnerships so that we can sustain our child protection work.”

Meanwhile, Mr Wong remarked that joining the 3 km Family Run with his 3-year-old son has a special meaning to him. “It is important for children to participate in outdoor activities, and the Family Run is beneficial to child development. It promotes bonding between parents and children by having them running together,” Mr Wong said.

This year, 10km runners finishing the race within the prescribed time were awarded with finisher medals. Also, runners were allowed to customize their bibs, adding an extra layer of meaning to the event. Besides, environmentally friendly measures were implemented to reduce solid waste. For example, foldable and reusable plastic cups were distributed to each runner and self-service water stations were set up at the finishing points, reducing the use of disposable plastic bottles.

A total of 32 corporate teams participated the Half Marathon Corporate Relay and more than 40 business leaders competed in the 3km Leadership Challenge. Besides the business sector, many celeities and athletes also joined the race, including Aka from Super Girls, a famous Cantopop girl group competed in the 10km Run (Challenge); Mr. Lam Hin-chung, the 2018 Asian Games Fencing Bronze Medalist; Ms. Lam Hin-wai, Lam Hin-chung’s sister and a fencer who participated in the 5km race, and finished in 22:45 and 29:04 respectively; Mr. Ngai Kang, the 2018 Hong Kong Marathon Highest Local Finisher, finished Half Marathon in 1:14:22; Mr. Walter Cheung, a veteran marathon runner and public relations guru; Ms. Mable Lui, the 10km Challenge Women Champion of 2017 Hong Kong Marathon who ran in the Half Marathon.