SHKP press launch with Raymond Kwok, SHKP Chairman (centre)
Hong Kong, 9 July 2015
Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited (SHKP) is organizing the fourth ‘SHKP Vertical Run for Charity’ this year; once again hosting the final two big events in the Vertical World Circuit: the ‘Race to Hong Kong ICC’ on 6 December and ‘Race to Shanghai IFC’ on 25 October. The Hong Kong race is going to be the grand finale of the Vertical World Circuit as in years past, bringing top local and international runners to compete at Hong Kong’s tallest building – International Commerce Centre (ICC) – for the world championship.
All proceeds from the event will go to child and youth services in keeping with previous events. And for the very first time, the organizer will sponsor the overall champions of the Hong Kong Individual races in next year’s Vertical World Circuit, promoting the spirit of sport for charity.
The ‘SHKP Vertical Run for Charity’ kick-off was held today at the Sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck, hosted by SHKP Chairman and Managing Director and Event Organizing Committee Chairman Raymond Kwok. Other guests included SHKP Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer and Event Organizing Committee Co-chairman Patrick K W Chan, International Skyrunning Federation (ISF) Vice President Silvio Calvi, 2014 ‘SHKP Vertical Run for Charity–Race to Hong Kong ICC’ men’s Individual Race overall champion Tsun Ling Lau, women’s Individual Race overall champion Cindy Reid, The Community Chest of Hong Kong Executive Committee Deputy Chairman Billy Kong, The Hong Kong Council of Social Service Vice-chairperson Kennedy Liu and Shanghai Children’s Health Foundation Secretary General & Office Director Jiaxian Ye.
Raymond Kwok opened the event by saying: “SHKP is dedicated to promoting a healthy, sustainable lifestyle with a special focus on community activities that integrate sport and charity. This year’s will be the fourth ‘SHKP Vertical Run for Charity’ and the aim is to stress the importance of fitness and health at the same time as we help needy people in our community. Response to the races is getting more enthusiastic every year, proving the wider recognition of the event and the increasing popularity of vertical running.”
New Corporate Fun Climb – Different Races for the Public
The ‘SHKP Vertical Run for Charity–Race to Hong Kong ICC’ will be on 6 December 2015 at the world’s seventh-tallest and Hong Kong’s tallest landmark building where runners can challenge 2,120 stairs. There will be four race categories: Elite, Individual, Team Relay and Fun Climb. Members of the public can participate in the Individual race or join the Team Relay in teams of four. The popular Fun Climb category for families in previous years will have a new Corporate category this year, encouraging office workers to change into their gym clothes and experience vertical running.
Chance for Individual Champions to Race Overseas – Early-bird Special Offers
SHKP will sponsor the overall champions of the men’s and women’s Individual races in the 2016 Vertical World Circuit to encourage local sports enthusiasts. The sponsorships will cover entry fees, airfares and accommodation, and will help the runners gain wider experience and promote the spirit of sport for charity around the world.
There will be a special early-bird registration offer for people wanting to enter the Individual race, Open Relay, Youth Relay or Fun Climb (groups A and B) to encourage more participation and early preparation. The offer will close on 18 September.
Tsun Ling Lau (left) Cindy Reid (centre) David Shin (right)
The organizer will additionally host a series of innovative community activities to promote vertical running including ‘Design Your Staircase’ and ‘Step Up for Fitness’. The former will invite the public to post their own model staircases made from different materials on the official social media platform. Whereas the latter is designed to encourage tenants and stakeholders in SHKP network to try the fun of vertical running. The organizer will also hold workshops to enhance people’s understanding of stair-climbing and spur interest in the sport at schools and to different segments of the community.
The Hong Kong grand finale of the eight races in the 2015 Vertical World Circuit will challenge the runners with the most stairs of all the races. The Circuit was established by the International Skyrunning Federation (ISF), which governs races at iconic skyscrapers around the world and ensures that all races are conducted under its international standards and regulations.
Raising Money for Child and Youth Development
The ‘SHKP Vertical Run for Charity–Race to Shanghai IFC’ will be held on 25 October 2015 at Shanghai IFC, where the runners will challenge 1,460 stairs for charity.
Registration is now open for the ‘SHKP Vertical Run for Charity’. Those interested can visit the official website (www.shkpverticalrun.com) for details or call (852) 5227 7163(HK) or (8621) 2329 6824(Shanghai) for enquiries. ICC, Sky100 and The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong are the official partners of the ‘Race to Hong Kong ICC’, while the official partners of the ‘Race to Shanghai IFC’ are Shanghai IFC and The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong.
Vertical World Circuit élite entries here: info@skyrunning.com