Oxfam Trailwalker (OTW) 2022 will be held this year from 24 to 26 February. The largest annual hiking fundraising event will feature the theme 'Back on our feet, resilient in the face of change'. The press conference was held today at the AIA Hong Kong Tower in Quarry Bay.
Bernard Chan, OTW Steering Group Convenor; Kalina Tsang, Director General of Oxfam Hong Kong; Alger Fung, Chief Executive Officer of AIA Hong Kong & Macau (OTW's Principal Sponsor); and Isabella Lau, Chief Customer, Strategy and Transformation Officer of AIA Hong Kong & Macau joined the press conference. OTW participants, including experienced trailwalker, Chan Kwok-keung (KK Chan) and his teammates from the Trailwalker Teaching Room; top trail runner Wong Ho Chung, rising star Tsang Fuk Cheung and their teammates; and Dr. Ho Hiu Fai, experienced medical volunteer from Queen Elizabeth Hospital's Accident and Emergency Department were also in attendance. Based on this year's theme, the guests shared how they overcame challenges. Oxfam Hong Kong (OHK) also announced the latest starting times as well as the arrangements for support teams and at checkpoints.
In his speech, Bernard Chan, OTW Steering Group Convenor, said: 'The Oxfam Trailwalker experienced and overcame many difficulties over the past three years because of the pandemic. Despite this, Oxfam Hong Kong, like countless Oxfam Trailwalker participants, persevered through it all and worked hard to put this in-person event together. During the pandemic, Oxfam Hong Kong also persevered in the fight against poverty and our work didn't stop. In 2022, we carried out a total of 327 anti-poverty projects in Hong Kong and around the world, and reached nearly 2.2 million people living in poverty.'
OHK also announced that all funds raised through the event would go towards OHK's poverty alleviation projects, and disaster relief and advocacy work to improve the lives of people living in poverty in Hong Kong and around the world.
Alger Fung, Chief Executive Officer of AIA Hong Kong & Macau, said: 'This marks our eighth consecutive year as the Principal Sponsor of Oxfam Trailwalker under the name of 'AIA Vitality'. After the challenges of the pandemic, we couldn't be happier to see the return of this iconic race. Participants face unpredictable challenges on the trail, but they overcome these difficulties with a strong will and steadfast determination. It echoes AIA's commitment to encouraging the practice of healthy lifestyles no matter how much the world around us changes. At AIA, we will always walk side by side with people as their partner on their health journeys, helping them live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives.'
At the press conference, OHK also announced the latest arrangements for transportation, food and drink at the checkpoints, support teams, and routes. The organisation is excited to bring participants the first in-person OTW as Hong Kong returns to normal.
Chan Kwok-keung (KK Chan), who has done very well achieved outstanding results at the OTW, joined the press conference with two experienced OTW participants, who were also models on this year's poster. They shared the challenges they overcame during the event and talked about the importance of fundraising through the event to help those in need. When sharing tips for participants, KK said: 'Taking part in the Oxfam Trailwalker in February is a little different from November; we're going from cold to warmer temperatures. So, participants should pay attention to the day and night temperature difference, and maintain a steady pace during the first section so they don't use up a lot of energy too soon.'
Dr. Ho Hiu Fai, experienced OTW participant and medical volunteer, fought COVID on the frontlines over the past three years at Queen Elizabeth Hospital's Accident and Emergency Department. He helped respond to emergencies and was there during the most difficult of times. He said he hoped that the OTW would be a success, and that the resumption of in-person events would have a positive impact on Hong Kong's return to normalcy. Dr. Ho said: 'It hasn't been easy putting the event together. Participants can finally join the Oxfam Trailwalker again – an incredibly meaningful event. Apart from the volunteer groups that will be helping out along the way, our medical team will also be there to support participants and help them overcome the challenges they meet along the trail.'
Wong Ho Chung, top trail runner, teamed up with rising star Tsang Fuk Cheung and two teammates to participate in the event this year. They felt it was fantastic that the OTW could once again be held in person, as it was a significant event in the hiking community. They hoped to be at their best when they hit the trail, and said: 'Compared with other individual events, the Oxfam Trailwalker focuses more on teamwork. It's important to pay attention to how each teammate is doing on the trail, while also controlling the pace.' Their team's goal is to complete the 100 km within 11.5 hours.
To avoid the crowd, disturbing the locals and obstructing emergency vehicles or the trail we will have below arrangement:
Road closure arrangement
To temporarily close Golden Hill Road, Kam Shan from 1300 hrs on Friday, 24 February to 1800 hrs on Saturday, 25 February. Only vehicles with closed road permits issued by Transport Department can access the road.
To temporarily close the section of Tai Mo Shan Road between Route Twisk and Tai Mo Shan hilltop from 1600 hrs on Friday, 24 February to 1200 hrs on Sunday, 26 February.
Temporary traffic arrangement
Tai Mong Tsai Road at the start point, Sai Sha Road and Chuk Yeung Road at CP3, Tai Tong Shan Road at Finish point.
The OTW will begin in Pak Tam Chung in Sai Kung and end in Po Leung Kuk Jockey Club Tai Tong Holiday Camp in Yuen Long. In teams of four, around 400 teams will walk 100 km along the rugged MacLehose Trail and other trails within 48 hours. Over 1,500 volunteers and 15 sponsors will give their full support to the OTW.
Oxfam Trailwalker website: www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.hk
Oxfam Trailwalker Facebook page: www.facebook.com/oxfamtrailwalkerhk
Download the press release and photos here:
