omniture

Thousands Race for Vertical World Circuit Polish and Australian Runners Crowned Champions

'Race to Hong Kong ICC' New Categories for Youth and Family
Sun Hung Kai Properties
2014-12-08 16:30 4319

HONG KONG, Dec. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The "SHKP Vertical Run for Charity -- Race to Hong Kong ICC" organized by Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited (SHKP), and co-organized by the Community Chest of Hong Kong was held on 7 December at the world's seventh tallest and Hong Kong's tallest building International Commerce Centre (ICC). The opening ceremony was kicked off by HKSAR Executive Council Member Bernard Chan, SHKP Chairman and Managing Director and Event Organizing Committee Chairman Raymond Kwok, SHKP Chairman and Managing Director Thomas Kwok, SHKP Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer and Event Organizing Committee Co-chairman Patrick Chan, Chest's Campaign Committee Chairman Rose Lee and Event Organizing Committee Co-chairman Edward Cheung.

HKSAR Executive Council Member Bernard Chan (center), SHKP Chairman and Managing Director and Event Organizing Committee Chairman Raymond Kwok (2nd left), SHKP Chairman and Managing Director Thomas Kwok (2nd right), SHKP Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer and Event Organizing Committee Co-chairman Patrick Chan (1st left) and Chest’s Campaign Committee Chairman Rose Lee (1st right).
HKSAR Executive Council Member Bernard Chan (center), SHKP Chairman and Managing Director and Event Organizing Committee Chairman Raymond Kwok (2nd left), SHKP Chairman and Managing Director Thomas Kwok (2nd right), SHKP Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer and Event Organizing Committee Co-chairman Patrick Chan (1st left) and Chest’s Campaign Committee Chairman Rose Lee (1st right).

At the event opening, Raymond Kwok said, "This year's event consists of two races, the earlier 'Race to Shanghai IFC' at Shanghai International Finance Centre and today's 'Race to Hong Kong ICC'. In other words, we have covered two major final races of Vertical World Circuit, indicating the rising reputation of 'SHKP Run for Charity' in the international sporting scene. Vertical running is not limited by time and weather conditions. It's easy to find a venue, which makes it the perfect sport for urbanites to strengthen their cardio-respiratory capacity in long term."

Thomas Kwok said, "SHKP is devoted in fulfilling its corporate social responsibilities, which include the promotion of a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. We have held the vertical race for three consecutive years, and as the final stop of Vertical World Circuit, 'Race to Hong Kong ICC' helps further our message of healthy lifestyle to a wider audience. SHKP hopes that the related community activities would initiate more people to engage in sporting activities, and develop healthier lifestyles."

More Races to Further Promote Healthy Sports among Families and Youth        

This year's race had four categories for runners, kicking off the event were the Elite Race, Team Relay and Individual Race. At the sound of the starting pistol, the runners dashed from the starting point on 8/F and raced up 2,120 stairs to the finish line at sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck. After the races, SHKP Chairmen presented souvenirs and medals to 22 vertical runners, encouraging them to participate the event again next year.

Polish and Australian Vertical Runners Win in Elite Race

"Race to Hong Kong ICC" is the grand finale of 2014 Vertical World Circuit, attracting a number of world-class athletes to compete for the World Champion title at ICC. The event started a craze for vertical running and attracted over 1,200 runners from more than 35 countries and regions to enjoy the fun of vertical run with the world-class elites over the past three years.

Vertical World Circuit was organized by International Skyrunning Federation for world-class runners and enthusiasts to challenge vertical running at iconic skyscrapers across the globe. Results of the circuit are recorded in a ranking system, and the top runners will be crowned champions at the final stop of the circuit with a substantial amount of prize money. 2014 marks the 6th anniversary of Vertical World Circuit, and eight races were organized around the world from New York in USA to Paris and Benidorm in Europe, and extending to Taipei, Beijing and Shanghai in Asia. All eight stops, including "Race to Hong Kong ICC", attracted over ten thousand contestants to enrol.

As the finale of Vertical World Circuit, the Elite Race at Hong Kong ICC was very intense, with Polish runner Piotr Lobodzinski reaching sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck at 12min25sec. The first place for Elite Women went to Australian runner Suzy Walsham, who finished at 13min47sec. They were crowned champions of the 2014 Vertical World Circuit at ICC.

Nearly 70 Teams Race for the Top in Team Relay

Closely following the Elite Race was the Team Relay in nearly 70 teams. The Corporate Relay was won by Sino Group, and Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited and UBS AG came second and third. First places of Youth Relay and Open relay went to STFA Leung Kau Kui College and CMS Team.

As for the Individual Race, about 500 runners were grouped into three categories according to age. The runners spared no effort at the sound of the pistol, and the Overall Men and Women Champions finished at 14min13sec and 18min21sec respectively. They were excited that their practices and training had paid off.

Parents and Children Enjoy Vertical Run Together

The Fun Climb this year had attracted around 300 participants; SHKP executives also took part to support this charity sporting event. Fun Climb A was designed for people aged 16 or above, and Fun Climb B was a new addition this year to encourage children aged 10 or above to enjoy vertical running with their parents, promoting the message of healthier lifestyle in a mini challenge of 21 floors.

The organizer specially set up an outdoor activity zone today with a series of fun activities for runners and their family. The activities include "Fitness Zone", "Fun Zone", "Reading Zone" and "Photo Zone". The "Fun Zone" was designed by Playright Children's Play Association to provide fun and educational outdoor games like Fun Sumo, Roller Slide, Rigamajig, and Air Slammers for contestants to enjoy a healthy family time with the family members.

About SHKP Vertical Run for Charit -- Race to Hong Kong ICC

"SHKP Vertical Run for Charity" was first organized by Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited in 2012 to raise awareness of healthy lifestyle in Hong Kong, and to initiate a culture of caring and giving. It became the finale of Vertical World Circuit in 2013 and one of the international sporting activities. In 2014, SHKP Vertical Run for Charity consisted of "Race to Hong Kong ICC" held at Hong Kong International Commerce Centre and "Race to Shanghai IFC" held at Shanghai International Finance Centre, attracting over 4,000 runners to compete for world championship between 2012 and 2014.

About 2014 Vertical World Circuit

"SHKP Vertical Run for Charity -- Race to Hong Kong ICC" has once again become an important stop of Vertical World Circuit. The Circuit is organized by the International Skyrunning Federation every year with vertical running races at iconic skyscrapers around the world. The eight races in 2014 stretched across the globe, bringing contestants to the Empire State Building in New York, Taipei 101 in Taiwan, Tour First in Paris, Subida Gran Hotel Bali in Spain, Novo Edifico Abril In Sao Paulo, Brazil, Shangri-la China World Summit Wing Hotel in Beijing, and Shanghai International Finance Centre. "Race to Hong Kong ICC" is the grand finale of the Circuit with the largest amount of stairs of all the races. The International Skyrunning Federation oversees all the races of the Vertical World Circuit to ensure they comply international standards.

Results  (information for post-event update)

2014 Vertical World Circuit


Men

Women

1st

Piotr Lobodzinski

Suzy Walsham

Elite Race


Men

Women

1st

Darren Wilson (11min56sec)

Suzy Walsham (13min47sec)

2nd

Mark Bourne (12min20sec)

Xue Gan (15min08sec)

3rd

Piotr Lobodzinski (12min25sec)

Hui Ji Zhang (17min19sec)

Individual Race


Men

Women

Overall Champion

Tsun Ling Lau (14min13sec)

Cynthia Reid (18min21sec)

Team Relay

Corporate Relay

1st

Sino Sport Team (13min46sec)

2nd

Sun Hung Kai Properties (14min11sec)

3rd

UBS (14min31sec)

Youth Relay

1st

STFA Leung Kau Kui College (13min43sec)

2nd

Insprinkghk 1 (14min59sec)

3rd

Tuen Mun Children and Juvenile Home (16min09sec)

Open Relay

1st

CMS Team (14min05sec)

2nd

BarFighters (14min39sec)

3rd

Finsbury Flyers 2 (16min52sec)

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Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20141208/8521407352

Source: Sun Hung Kai Properties
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