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Hong Kong, 12 January 2025 – UNICEF Charity Run 2024/25 ‘HERO RUN - PoweRun’ took place today, a relay from last month’s fun-filled ‘HERO RUN - WondeRun’ in protecting children’s welfare. The baton passed on to big hearts and famous faces.  Athletes, leaders, celebrities, and members of the public rallied at the scenic Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and Inspiration Lake to bring a better future for underprivileged children worldwide.

It is a day of achievement to many at the Half Marathon, 10km and 5km courses sanctioned by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS). Half Marathon, 10km (Challenge) and 5km races are recognized by the Hong Kong, China Association of Athletics Affiliates Limited (HKAAA).

Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Cheuk Wing Hing, Commends Runners for Their Charitable Contributions

Cheuk Wing Hing, Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Zhang Guo Yi, Vice Chairman and Chief Editor of Hong Kong Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group; and Judy Chen, Chairman of the Hong Kong Committee of UNICEF (UNICEF HK), officiated the ceremony, witnessing the commitment of the runners to support children in need.

Vivian Kong Man Wai, Gold Medallist in the Women's Épée Individual at the 2024 Paris Olympics, was officially appointed as UNICEF HK Ambassador during the event. She joined the fellow runners in their mission to transform lives of underprivileged children, starting the new year with an act of goodwill.

Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Cheuk Wing Hing, remarked in his speech that “Children are the hope of our society. The Government highly values the upbringing of children and their physical and psychological well-being and has been working tremendously to support them to grow healthily and move forward. I thank the UNICEF Hong Kong for its contribution to promote and advocate for children’s rights, including the run today, to arouse the awareness of people of all ages in maintaining healthy living and promoting physical and mental development of children. The Governement will continue to work with various sectors for the betterment of children’s health and well-being so as to build a better Hong Kong.”

UNICEF HK Chairman Judy Chen: UNICEF HK Welcomes Vivian as Ambassador

Chairman of UNICEF HK, Judy Chen stated, “The participation is phenomenal, a total of 53,000 km have been accomplished – enough to circle Hong Kong Island more than 800 times.” With Ms Vivan Kong becoming a UNICEF HK Ambassador, Ms Chen added, “Vivian is caring and affectionate. She has a noble passion to care for children. I believe her role as a UNICEF HK Ambassador will inspire many to follow suit in helping needy children overcome challenges and difficulties.”

Ms Kong expressed her love for children, “I am very proud to serve as a UNICEF HK Ambassador. I believe every child possesses unique strengths, dreams, and creativity. It brings me immense joy to have this opportunity to help vulnerable children around the world. As long as we join hands to protect their fundamental rights, we can create a world where every child survives and thrives.”

The Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and Inspiration Lake features flat courses which attracted runners of all levels, from beginners aiming to complete the race to experienced long-distance runners striving to beat their personal best times. The event also received support from ‘Star Heroes’ including Paralympic Gold Medallist Ho Yuen Kei, veteran actor Raymond Wong, and renowned long-distance runner Chan Ka Ho.

Winners Crowned with Remarkable Results

Tsang Hiu Tung Broke Her Personal Best Half Marathon Record

The race concluded successfully with winners celebrating exceptional achievements. In the Men's Half Marathon, Wong Wan Chun claimed the championship in the Men's Half Marathon, finishing in 1 hour 07 minutes and 50 seconds. The Women's Half Marathon was claimed by Tsang Hiu Tung, who crossed the line in 1 hour 19 minutes 46 seconds and broke her personal best half marathon record.

In the 10km Challenge Run, Tse Chun Yin and Yiu Kit Ching emerged as the fastest male and female runners, finishing with times of 32 minutes and 05 seconds, 34 minutes and 58 seconds respectively.

For the 5km Run, Wong Kai Lok and Wong Cheuk Ning took the championship titles with times of 16 minutes and 04 seconds, 18 minutes and 48 seconds respectively.

Finally, in the 3km Youth Run, Au Ho Chun and Lee Jisu were crowned the male and female champions, finishing in 09 minutes and 39 seconds, 13 minutes and 08 seconds respectively.

Table: Champion List of UNICEF Charity Run 2024/25 ‘HERO RUN’

Thousands of runners supported UNICEF Charity Run 2024/25 ‘HERO RUN - PoweRun’. Guests of Honour include Cheuk Wing Hing (front row, eighth right), Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Zhang Guo Yi (front row, eighth left), Vice Chairman and Chief Editor of Hong Kong Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group; and Judy Chen (front row, seventh right), Chairman of UNICEF HK. Other guests include the newly appointed UNICEF HK Ambassador Vivian Kong Man Wai (front row; sixth right), Star Hero and Paris Olympic Gold Medallist; Ho Yuen Kei (front row, seventh left), Star Hero and Paralympic Gold Medallist; Chan Ka Ho (front row, sixth left), Star Hero and renowned long-distance runner with his wife Yiu Kit Ching (back row, fifth left); Raymond Wong (front row, fifth right), Star Hero and veteran artist; with supporting organizations and sponsors including Kwan Kee (front row, third left), Chairman of Hong Kong, China Association of Athletics Affiliates; Emily Kwan (front row, third right), Director of Corporate Communications, Gold Sponsor Kerry Logistics Network Limited; Cynthia Leung (front row, fifth left), Chief Communications Officer, Gold Sponsor Henderson Land; Ryan Li (front row, fourth left), Cathay Representative, Gold Sponsor Cathay Pacific Airways Limited; Zoe Ng (front row, fourth right), Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Official Sportswear moodytiger; Nikki Ng (back row, sixth left), Director of Philanthropy, Partner Sino Group; and Council and Committee Members of UNICEF HK.

Cheuk Wing Hing, Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, commended the 'HERO RUN - PoweRun' runners for their charitable contributions aimed at improving the well-being of vulnerable children worldwide.

Judy Chen, Chairman of UNICEF HK, praised all participants for their determination and perseverance completing a total of 53,000 km – enough to circle Hong Kong Island more than 800 times. She also welcomed Ms Vivian Kong as a UNICEF HK Ambassador, who will advocate for children's rights and support the development of more child-friendly cities.

Vivian Kong Man Wai, Gold Medallist in the Women's Épée Individual at the 2024 Paris Olympics, was officially appointed as UNICEF HK Ambassador at ‘HERO RUN - PoweRun’.

Judy Chen, Chairman of UNICEF HK; Vivian Kong Man Wai, UNICEF HK Ambassador; and other guests showed support for runners participating in the 5km Run.

‘Star Hero’ Ho Yuen Kei, a Paralympic Gold Medallist, called the start of the 3km Youth Run, cheering on the young runners.

Long-distance runner Chan Ka Ho, ‘Star Hero’ of ‘HERO RUN’ and his wife Yiu Kit ching (right) completed the 10km Challenge.

‘Star Hero’ Raymond Wong, a popular actor and running enthusiast, finished the 10km Run (Group 1) in 49 minutes 25 seconds and broke his best record.

‘Star Heroes’ Paralympic Gold Medallist Ho Yuen Kei, long-distance runner Chan Ka Ho, and popular actor and running enthusiast Raymond Wong, shared their inspirations and the significance of participating in UNICEF Charity Run ‘HERO RUN’.

Runners displayed immense determination in bringing hope and driving change for children in need. The chilly morning weather did not deter participants from completing the races.

Wong Wan Chun claimed the championship in the Men's Half Marathon of UNICEF Charity Run 'HERO RUN - PoweRun', finishing in 1 hour 07 minutes and 50 seconds.

Tsang Hiu Tung claimed the championship in the Women's Half Marathon of UNICEF Charity Run 'HERO RUN - PoweRun', finishing in 1 hour 19 minutes and 46 seconds. She also broke her personal best half marathon record.

Tse Chun Yin emerged as the fastest male runner in 10km Challenge Run of 'HERO RUN - PoweRun', finishing in 32 minutes and 05 seconds.

Yiu Kit Ching was crowned the female champion in the 10km Challenge Run, finishing in 34 minutes and 58 seconds.

About UNICEF Charity Run

UNICEF Charity Run is an annual fundraising event organized by the Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF and is one of the largest charity road running races in Hong Kong. Since its inception in 2006, the event has attracted over 160,000 participants. Together with generous donations from individuals and corporations, UNICEF Charity Run has raised over HK$140 million to date.