The 9th Hong Kong Games' Jockey Club Vitality Run was held alongside the Shing Mun River in Sha Tin this morning (March 3). More than 5 000 people took part in the event to share the fun of sports as a prelude to the upcoming 9th Hong Kong Games (HKG).

     The Jockey Club Vitality Run has been well received by the public since it was first held in 2015. The event, with an emphasis on challenging oneself rather than racing for awards, encourages people to exercise more, thereby promoting a "sport for all" culture in the community. Today's participants could enjoy the fun of running, while at the same time show their support for district athletes who are gearing up for the 9th HKG competitions.

     The two categories of the Vitality Run, namely the about-3-kilometre run and the 10-kilometre run, both started at Yuen Wo Road (near Yuen Wo Playground). Each participant received a souvenir T-shirt and other souvenirs, while those who completed the run within the time limit received an e-certificate and a souvenir medal. Participants dressed up to compete for the individual Most Creative Costume Prize and the Overall Best Team Costume Prize, with each prize having a champion, a first runner-up and a second runner-up. Their creative and colourful costumes boosted the joyful atmosphere of the event.

     A number of people also took part in the event by cheering for the runners along Yuen Wo Road, beside the Shing Mun River and at Sha Tin Sports Ground. A carnival with stage performances, game booths on new sports, a sports interactive game zone with a combination of multimedia and virtual reality technology, and a photo corner, etc, were set up at Yuen Wo Playground so that participants of the Vitality Run and other members of the public could enjoy the fun of sports.

     The HKG is a territory-wide major multi-sport event held biennially with the 18 districts as participating units. The inter-district sports competitions of the 9th HKG will be held between April 21 and June 9 this year, covering eight sports, namely athletics, badminton, 3-on-3 basketball, futsal, swimming, table tennis, tennis and volleyball. The sports competitions for people with disabilities include wheelchair 3-on-3 basketball and boccia; and those for people with intellectual disability include swimming and table tennis.

     The Urban Sports Demonstration Competitions are introduced in the 9th HKG to promote four sports items including breaking, sports climbing, skateboarding and women's futsal. The demonstration competitions will be held between April 27 and May 4.

     Apart from the sports competitions, a range of community participation programmes will also be organised for the general public. They can vote for "My Favourite Sporty District" and guess the "Overall Champion of the 9th HKG". Photography enthusiasts can take pictures of the exciting scenes of sports competitions and activities of the 9th HKG to participate in the "Dynamic Moments Photo Contest".

     The opening ceremony of the 9th HK Games will be held at the Hong Kong Coliseum on April 21. Free admission tickets will be distributed at the District Leisure Services Offices of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) from April 2.

     The Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Joe Wong, officiated at the starting ceremony of the event. Other officiating guests included the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu; the Chairman of the 9th HKG Organising Committee, Professor Patrick Yung; the Executive Manager, Charities (Sports & Institute of Philanthropy) of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Ms Donna Tang; and the Honorary Treasurer of the Hong Kong, China Association of Athletics Affiliates, Ms Irene Chan.

     The 9th HKG is organised by the Sports Commission and co-ordinated by its Community Sports Committee, with the Home Affairs Department, the LCSD, the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, and the relevant National Sports Associations of the sports competitions as co-organisers. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is the major sponsor of the event.

     Details about the 9th HKG are available at the dedicated website.

Ends/Sunday, March 3, 2024
Issued at HKT 12:25

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