Press release
Runners to Break Barriers and Celebrate Living at the FWD North Pole Marathon 2019
Ten athletes from across Asia will compete at the top of the world
FWD, the pan-Asian insurance company, has today revealed FWD Team Asia who will be running to the top of the world on 9 April this year. For three consecutive years FWD is the title sponsor of “FWD North Pole Marathon”. At today’s press conference FWD presented the 10 runners from Hong Kong and across Asia. The runners were joined by Richard Donovan, founder of the ‘World’s Coolest Marathon’, who shared his experience as organiser of the polar race and celebrated the runners who will brave the extreme cold and make their own history as a new breed of Arctic adventurer.
“FWD is extremely proud to continue our support for this challenging and one-of-a-kind event, as it resonates with our philosophy of empowering people to pursue their passions and explore a lifetime of limitless possibilities,” said Paul Tse, Chief Marketing Officer of FWD Hong Kong & Macau. “It is with great pleasure that the founder of the race, Richard Donovan, joins us in Hong Kong today to meet all our runners. And we are delighted to back and provide protection for our all members of FWD Team Asia as they train and prepare towards achieving their goal of pushing their limits during upcoming extreme marathon event.”
Richard Donovan, founder of the North Pole Marathon and the first marathon runner to complete races on all seven continents in seven days, said, “The North Pole Marathon is a unique opportunity for marathon runners to run freely in the snowy wonderland of the arctic, and to experience the extreme beauty of nature. The harsh weather and rugged environment will be sure to push runners’ will and endurance to the limits. It will be a test of courage and determination as they strive to overcome the loneliness, as well as the physical and mental challenges of the race. I wish all the runners perseverance and joy as they run in the North.”
Hong Kong runners Annie Liu, Andy Leung and Hard Tsui to participate in the half and full marathon races
Pursuing this adventure of a lifetime from Hong Kong will be: Annie Liu, artist and experienced runner, Andy Leung, local singer and run-lover, and Hard Tsui, professional marathoner who broke the Hong Kong marathon record in BMW Berlin Marathon 2018. They will take part in half marathon and full marathon races respectively.
Annie Liu said, “In the past ten years, I have been consistently competing in local marathon events. I have stayed committed and have pushed through all obstacles along the way. This is a precious opportunity to take on the extreme challenge of running at the North Pole. I hope to push beyond my personal boundaries. No matter how tough the race would be, I am determined to leave my footprints in the northern snow.”
Andy Leung said, “I am excited to take part in the FWD North Pole Marathon. It will be a whole new challenge for me to run in such an extreme environment. I hope to push beyond my fears and to achieve my maximum personal potential. I will overcome every hurdle and turn the impossible into possible.”
Hard Tsui said, “I treat every marathon as the last one I will ever run. The North Pole Marathon will be the peak of my running career. Never letting go of my passion, I will persevere to complete the race and to the best of my abilities. I hope to evoke pride among people in Hong Kong.”
FWD Team Asia will join several professional and aspiring athletes at the top of the world in April, where each of them will push their bodies to the limit and truly celebrate living. The Hong Kong runners are also asking people in Hong Kong to support them as they venture to the North Pole by supporting their efforts to raise funds for their charity partners. From now until 14 April, FWD invites the public to support our runners. For every supportive message uploaded to the “Cheering Zone for the FWD North Pole Marathon Runners” in FWD Hong Kong & Macau Facebook page, FWD will donate a total sum of HK$50 to its local community care partners Hong Chi Association and Special Olympics Hong Kong.
Paul Tse continues, “Our runners are determined to promote the spirit of achievement and pushing through their life challenges. I hope the public will be moved by these incredible individuals and actively participate in our fundraising event.”
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FWD Hong Kong offers life and medical insurance, general insurance, employee benefits, and financial planning. Its life insurance and general insurance operating entities have been assigned strong financial strength ratings by international rating agencies — FWD Life Insurance Company (Bermuda) Limited (incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability) is rated “A3” by Moody’s and “A” by Fitch; and FWD General Insurance Company Limited is rated “A” by Fitch. FWD Macau provides a suite of life and medical insurance.
FWD Hong Kong & Macau is a part of the FWD Group, the insurance business of investment group, Pacific Century Group. FWD Group spans Hong Kong & Macau, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Japan and Malaysia.
By creating fresh customer experiences with easy-to-understand products supported by digital technology, FWD aims to become a leading pan-Asian insurer that changes the way people feel about insurance.
For more information about FWD Hong Kong & Macau please visit WWW.FWD.COM.HK and WWW.FWD.COM.MO.
About Hong Chi Association
Hong Chi Association (formerly the Hong Kong Association for the Mentally Handicapped), founded in 1965, has grown to become one of the most well-established non-profit organizations dedicated solely to serving over 7,000 people of all ages and all grades of intellectual disabilities and their families in Hong Kong. It operates 89 service units to provide comprehensive services.
About Special Olympics Hong Kong
Founded in 1976, Special Olympics Hong Kong is one of the Special Olympics Programs striving to provide opportunities for over 50,000 headcounts of people with intellectual disability aged 8 or above to participate in a variety of Olympic-type sports. Sports including athletics, badminton, basketball, bocce, bowling, floor hockey, football, golf, gymnastics, mini-volleyball, ice skating, snowshoeing, swimming and table tennis are now available for thousands of athletes and participants from more than 100 agency members. By taking part in these sports, their potential as well as their self-esteem and bravery can be enhanced. With sports as a means of integration into the society, they can also share the joy gained from sports participation with their families and friends.
Apart from sports events, Special Olympics Hong Kong has also developed various non-sport events such as Athlete Leadership, Family Network, Healthy Athletes, Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, Motor Activities Training Program, Unified Schools and Young Athletes.
FWD Group spans Hong Kong & Macau, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam and Japan. In Hong Kong, FWD offers life and medical insurance, general insurance, employee benefits, and financial planning. The life insurance and general insurance operating entities have been assigned strong financial strength ratings by international rating agencies — FWD Life Insurance Company (Bermuda) Limited is rated “A3” by Moody’s and “A” by Fitch; and FWD General Insurance Company Limited is rated “A” by Fitch.
FWD is focused on creating fresh customer experiences, with easy-to-understand products, supported by digital technology. Through this customer-led approach, FWD aims to become a leading pan-Asian insurer that changes the way people feel about insurance.
Established in Asia in 2013, FWD is the insurance business of investment group, Pacific Century Group.
For more information please visit WWW.FWD.COM.HK and WWW.FWD.COM.MO.
(Incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability). All rights reserved.