An enthusiastic gathering of more than 1,100 participants assembled at Tai Mei Tuk on Sunday, March 17 in support of the charity run, On Track to Save 2024, organized by Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders Hong Kong (MSF-HK). The event aims at boosting MSF-HK’s medical humanitarian efforts worldwide.
Stella Kwan, Deputy Executive Director of MSF-HK, expresses her gratitude for the continuous support from different sectors of the community in Hong Kong, “Your participation and donations can indeed help the most vulnerable groups to gain access to essential healthcare services,” she says.
The race took place at the main dam of Plover Cove Reservoir in Tai Mei Tuk, and featured three categories of varying distances: 10 km, 3 km, and a 1 km Fun Run.
Participants came from diverse backgrounds, including Hong Kong marathon record holder Christy Yiu Kit-ching; Prof. Bernard Cheung Man-yung, President of the Federation of Medical Societies of Hong Kong; and a team of six MSF field workers comprising Dr Akin Chan Kin-wah, midwife/nurse Tobey Lee Tsz-yan, Dr Shannon Melissa Chan, Dr Paul Au Yiu-ka, nurse Chiu Cheuk-pong, and Dr Jennifer Tong Wing-sze.
Over 600 participants completed the 10 km race, with Lin Long-ki and Wong Kit-shun securing the top position across all age groups in the men’s and women’s division respectively. The 3KM Race had more than 300 participants, with Chan Ngo-fung and Chan Pak-chee finishing first in the men’s and women’s division respectively.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of MSF-HK’s establishment in the city. Since 2002, MSF-HK has been hosting an annual orienteering competition to raise awareness of the difficulties encountered by field workers delivering medical aid in different global crises. This is the first time the event was held in the form of a race, with Collyer Logistics being the campaign partner.
The natural scenery in Tai Mei Tuk bears a resemblance to South Sudan, a young African country suffering from ongoing ethnic violence and worsening floods due to climate change. Through racing along the dam, participants were able to gain a unique perspective of the difficulties faced by MSF field workers when they provide medical aid in natural disasters.
“Every life saved on the front line has a touching story behind it. This is what motivates me to continue my work,” said Dr Chan Kin-wah, a surgeon who had undertaken four assignments in South Sudan with MSF. “I hope everyone continues to support MSF and its frontline workers with action.”
MSF is an independent international medical humanitarian organization dedicated to providing emergency medical assistance to those affected by armed conflicts, epidemics, natural disasters, and health care system exclusion. MSF’s assistance is based on people’s needs, irrespective of race, religion, gender, or politics.
For more information, please visit https://msf.hk/
Hong Kong United Times丨香港聯合時報丨HKUT 