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(7 November 2026, HONG KONG) Hong Chi Climbathon 2026, organised by Hong Chi Association and co-organised by Sino Group and Sun Hung Kai Properties, with Central Plaza as the venue sponsor, concluded successfully today. The event attracted over 500 runners to compete across seven race categories under the theme "Every Step Shows Support", with strong support from distinguished guests from the government, business, education and cultural sectors, including Mr. Paul Lam, GBS, SC, JP, Secretary for Justice and Ms. Vivian Sum, JP, Permanent Secretary for Culture.

The vent also drew top runners from Hong Kong and the Mainland. The Mainland Chinese champion of the Men’s Individual 75-Floor Race said the breathtaking view from the finish line made the climb especially memorable. He was also impressed by Hong Kong’s strong spirit of giving and looks forward to competing in the city again.

Distinguished Guests Rally Community Support for Inclusion

Building on last year’s star-studded success, we were honoured to have Mr. Paul Lam, GBS, SC, JP, Secretary for Justice, as our officiating guest. He was joined by Ms. Vivian Sum, JP, Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism; Mr. Fletch Chan, JP, Deputy Secretary (Welfare) for Labour and Welfare Bureau; Mr. Bernard Chan, GBM, GBS, JP, Chairman of West Kowloon Central District Authority Board; Mrs. Betty Fung, GBS, Chief Executive Officer of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority; Mr. Nicholas Ho, Commissioner for Belt and Road; Mr. David Liao, Co-Chief Executive of Asia and Middle East of HSBC; Mr. Bing Li, Asia-Pacific Chairman of Bloomberg; Prof. Alexander Wai Ping-kong, JP, President of Hong Kong Baptist University; Prof. Annie Tam, GBS, JP, Chairman of Connecting Hearts; Ms. Grace Chan, Legislative Council Member (Social Welfare Functional Constituency); Ms. Chiu-yee Lau, Hong Chi Integration Ambassador, student of Hong Chi Morninghill School, Tuen Mun; Mr. Edward Yau, GBS, JP, Chairman of Hong Chi Association; Ms. Zuie Lin, General Secretary of Hong Chi Association; and representatives from our co-organising partners Ms. Nikki Ng, BBS, Director of Philanthropy of Sino Group and Dr. Allen Fung, Executive Director of Sun Hung Kai Properties to kick-off our opening ceremony.

Secretary for Justice Calls for Greater Public Support for People in Need

This year's event once again featured the Hong Chi Charity Celebrity Run, in which Mr. Paul Lam joined other celebrity participants to compete in the 7-floor challenge as part of nine teams. He said that he was pleased to support the Hong Chi Climbathon, a meaningful event that promotes care and inclusion for people in need. He remarked that Hong Kong needs dedicated charitable organisations such as Hong Chi Association to help address social challenges and foster a more caring and inclusive community. Mr. Lam also shared his stair-climbing strategy, saying that by focusing on the step ahead and persevering one step at a time, the finish line will soon be within reach.

In his speech, Mr. Edward Yau expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all supporting organisations, sponsors, and participants for their strong support. He emphasised that the race is more than a competition, but serves as a powerful catalyst for social cohesion and a test of participants' perseverance and resilience.

He added, “Together with the West Kowloon Cultural District, one of the world’s leading cultural destinations, we will mark a new chapter of inclusion for Hong Chi Association”, and he looks forward to see more initiatives of this kind in the future.

Local and Mainland Elite Athletes Claim 75-Floor Championship Titles

More than 500 runners gathered at Central Plaza to compete across seven race categories covering 7, 29 and 75 floors. The flagship 75-floor Individual Race once again earned recognition from the Towerrunning World Association (TWA), making it Hong Kong's only international race with 60 ranking points. Mainland Chinese runner Xue Jian-dong and local runner Li Tsz-yau won the Men's and Women's 75-floor Individual Race respectively.

Xue said he was delighted to compete in Hong Kong and praised the city's iconic skyline. He noted that the event's charitable nature made it particularly meaningful and highlighted Hong Kong's strong philanthropic spirit. Reflecting on his experience as a tower runner, he said the sport taught him perseverance and resilience in overcoming challenges. Looking ahead, he hoped that tower running would continue to gain popularity in the country and attract broader public participation.

Asian Para Games Medalist Lau Chiu-yee Inspires Public to Embrace Challenges

Hong Chi Association has promoted social integration for more than six decades. The Integration Relay brings together corporations, non-profit organisations, and the public to form teams with Hong Chi students and trainees, fostering meaningful connections and embodying the spirit of inclusion. Hong Chi Integration Ambassador, student of Hong Chi Morninghill School, Tuen Mun, Lau Chiu-yee returned from the Asian Para Games with 3 medals. She was pleased with her performance and said she had not expected to win two bronze medals, particularly after being overtaken by the opposing team during the relay race. She also inspired the public to challenge themselves and embrace determination, whatever the obstacles.

Green Medals by Trainees Debut at the Event

The event will also feature market stalls and stage performances by Hong Chi students and trainees, giving them a platform to showcase their talents. Adding to the event's significance, trainees from the Hong Chi Shui Chuen O Integrated Rehabilitation Complex - Jui Yuen Workshop handcrafted this year's race medals from green materials, reflecting the event’s devotion to sustainability while creating meaningful, memorable mementoes for participants.

As Hong Kong’s longest-running charitable vertical run, Hong Chi Climbathon has promoted social cohesion through sports since its inception in 2004. Every stair climbed is more than a test of physical endurance and determination. It also emphasises how collective efforts empower people with intellectual disabilities and create life-changing outcomes.

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About Hong Chi Association

Hong Chi Association, founded in 1965, has grown to become one of the most well-established non-profit organisations dedicated solely to serving over 9,800 people of all ages and all grades of intellectual disabilities and their families in Hong Kong. It operates 106 service units to provide comprehensive services.

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Media Enquiries

Hong Chi Association, Communications and Fund Raising Office

Tel: 2661 0709 | WhatsApp: 9311 9651| Email: cfr@hongchi.org.hk|

Website: www.hongchi.org.hk | Facebook: Hong Chi Association | Instagram: hca_hongchi

Photo Captions

	1. Hong Chi Climbathon 2026 attracted over 500 participants.
	2. Guests including Mr. Paul Lam, GBS, SC, JP, Secretary for Justice; Ms. Vivian Sum, JP, Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism; Mr. Fletch Chan, JP, Deputy Secretary (Welfare) for Labour and Welfare Bureau; Mr. Bernard Chan, GBM, GBS, JP, Chairman of West Kowloon Central District Authority Board; Mrs. Betty Fung, GBS, Chief Executive Officer of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority kicked off the event.
	3. Mr. Edward Yau presents souvenirs to Mr. Paul Lam, GBS, SC, JP, and Hong Chi Integration Ambassador Alex Fong in recognition of their longstanding support.
	4. Guests and participants of the Hong Chi Charity Celebrity Climb gather for a group photo.
	5. Mr. Paul Lam; Mr. David Liao, Co-Chief Executive of Asia and Middle East of HSBC; Mr. Bing Li, Asia-Pacific Chairman of Bloomberg; and Mr. Edward Yau, GBS, JP formed a team in Hong Chi Charity Celebrity Run.
	6. Mr. Paul Lam and Mr. Edward Yau presented gifts to Ms. Nikki Ng, BBS, Director of Philanthropy of Sino Group and Dr. Allen Fung, Executive Director of Sun Hung Kai Properties.
	7. Asian Para Games Medalist, student of Hong Chi Morninghill School, Tuen Mun Lau Chiu-yee shared her memorable experiences at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games.
	8. Mainland runner Xue Jiandong and local runner Li Tsz Yau, won champions of the Men's and Women's 75-floor Race respectively.
	9. Hong Chi Charity Celebrity Run received generous support from distinguished members of the community, including “Sony Music Team”.
	10. Mr. K.W. Lo, Executive Director of Sun Hung Kai Real Estate Agency Limited, and Ms. Zuie Lin, General Secretary of Hong Chi Association, present the SUN HUNG KAI PROPERTIES CHARITY TROPHY – Top Fundraiser Award.
	11. 75-Floor Relay Team participants also received the same award.
	12. Mr. Edward Yau and Ms. Vivian Lee, Group General Manager (Corporate Marketing, Communications & Sustainability) of Sino Group presents the Sino Group Trophy to the winners of 29-Floor Integration Team Relay.
	13. Group photo of the winning teams of the 75-F Integration Relay.
	14. The medals are made by trainees from Hong Chi Shui Chuen O Integrated Rehabilitation Complex-Jui Yuen Workshop from green materials in four colours.