BOC Life and Social Ventures Hong Kong Inaugurates Hong Kong’s First Harbour Marathon Raising Funds to Benefit Youth Development and STEAM Education

BOC Group Life Assurance Company Limited (BOC Life), in partnership with Social Ventures Hong Kong (SVhk), inaugurates the “The BOC Life Hong Kong Harbour Marathon”, a charity race to fund Hong Kong’s youth development and STEAM educational projects.

The first fund-raising marathon that loops around the Hong KongHarbour, taking place on 13th April 2024, with strong support from the Harbourfront Commission and the Energizing Kowloon East Office of the Development Bureau, HKSAR Government. Embodying cross-sector collaboration, involving the public, commercial and NGO sectors, this event aims at raising funds to support RunOurCity Foundation and St. James’ Settlement’s youth development and STEAM education projects respectively. In addition, this marathon promotes employee wellness among Hong Kong’s corporations, helping staff members enhance their perseverance and endurance to meet challenges, while injecting positive energy into enterprises, individuals and the society as a whole, contributing to Hong Kong’s development into a healthy and dynamic sustainable city.

The Harbour Marathon will be kicked off with a CEO Run participated by CEOs and top executives from various sectors, at HarbourChill of Wanchai, to be followed by relays of respective corporate teams to complete the 42km marathon. Through participation in this exclusive marathon, C-suite executives are enabled to show care to their employees as well as the community at large. 

With the route covering the waterfronts, runners will be able to enjoy not only the stunning views of the Hong Kong Harbour but also the vistas of various districts. On the marathon day, a fun-filled carnival will be held at HarbourChill for runners’ colleagues, families and friends to support, cheer and take photos with the runners onsite. They could also participate in new sports activities and games, and enjoy a unique yet memorable day together.

Details of the “The BOC Life Hong Kong Harbour Marathon” are as follows:

Date:    13 April 2024 (Saturday)
Time:    10:00 am to 6:00 pm (Kick-off Ceremony at 9:45 am)
Start & Finish Point and Carnival: HarbourChill, Wanchai, Hong Kong.
For details, please access the BOC Life Harbour Marathon website: www.harbourmarathon.hk

Wilson Tang, Chief Executive of BOC Life said, “BOC Life is committed to fostering cross-sector collaboration to create win-win for all parties in the society. Youth education and development has been a key focus of BOC Life’s corporate philanthropy programmes. The participating corporate teams not only be able to raise funds for youth development and education projects, but can also promote team spirit through the relay runs, encouraging employees to exercise more to enhance physical fitness as well as perseverance to positively tackle challenges in life. Furthermore, this event will create triple wins to individuals, enterprises and the society, killing multiple birds with one stone. We are thrilled to have invited heavy-weight cross-industry corporate leaders from the public, commercial, sports, medical, social services and media sectors to join the CEO Run. Their participation to walk the talk in driving employees’ wellness will set a good example for other corporations to follow.”

Francis Ngai, Founder and CEO of the organizer SVhk said, “Staff well-being is a key focus of employers. The BOC Life Hong Kong Harbour Marathon has provided a good platform for companies to show their concern for the physical and mental health of their employees. They could also build staff bonding, co-operation and team spirit In addition, through the training and the race.”

The HKSAR Government’s support also contributed to the smooth running of the Marathon. Vincent Ng, Chairman of the Harbourfont Commission said, “The Harbourfont Commission strives to promote the vibrant development of the harbourfront, actively enhancing its vitality for the well-being of the citizens. The BOC Life Hong Kong Harbour Marathon will take runners through the beautiful waterfront areas, and various vistas of many districts, bringing people closer to the waters and giving them an unforgettable experience.”

Participants of the CEO Run include heavyweight leaders from the public, commercial and social services sectors, namely,  Vincent Cheng, Legislative Councillor and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Sports Institute; Vincent Ng, Chairman of the Harbourfront Commission; Ricky Chu, Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission; Leonie Lee, Commissioner for the Harbourfront; April Kun, Head of Energizing Kowloon East Office, Development Bureau; Dr Fung Hong, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the CUHK Medical Centre; Wilson Tang, Chief Executive of BOC Life; Elton NG, Founder & CEO at CORES; Alex Ko, COO of Ming Pao Newspapers Limited; Titania Woo, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Management Association; Josephine Lee, Chief Executive Officer of St. James' Settlement; Joyce Chan, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Award for Young People; Francis Ngai, Founder and CEO of Social Ventures Hong Kong; and Andes Leung, Co-Founder and CEO of RunOurCity.