FWD returns as title sponsor of the North Pole Marathon 2020, putting conservation education at the heart

Hong Kong team Annie Liu, Andy Leung and Hard Tsui together with new member Wong Ho Fai joins FWD team members across Asia to take the Arctic race by storm

FWD Group (“FWD”) is pleased to sponsor FWD North Pole Marathon, the world’s coolest marathon, for the fourth consecutive year. In addition, FWD will support 12 runners from across Asia to take part on 13 April, 2020 and will reinforce the understanding and the importance of preserving the environment through the sponsorship.

Three runners who represented FWD Hong Kong last year, including artist Annie Liu; singer Andy Leung, and highly experienced marathon runner Hard Tsui, will be joined this year by new ultra-marathon runner Wong Ho Fai. These four runners will represent FWD Hong Kong in the half and full marathon races respectively.

This year, FWD is also introducing a new way to celebrate living by educating an incentive to preserve the environment. Working with EcoMatcher, a reforestation enterprise, FWD will plant trees to offset CO2. FWD is aiming to plant three forests across Asia including the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia. In addition, FWD Hong Kong aims to plant l 1,000 trees in Thailand and Nepal, equivalent to two forests, to make the event more meaningful by contributing to the natural preservation of the environment.

Ken Lau, Managing Director of Greater China and Hong Kong Chief Executive Officer of FWD, said, "We are very honored to again be the title sponsor of the North Pole Marathon and support the runners to challenge the Arctic. We have given extra meaning this year through our environmental-driven initiatives which is inspired by our own FWD Team Asia. Our runners are awe-struck by the natural landscape of the North Pole where it is also vulnerable to climate change. At FWD, we pride ourselves in our challenger brand values and will start doing our part in helping preserve the environment we live in and encourage people to celebrate living.”

Ultra-marathon runner joined the long-anticipated Arctic race 
This year, FWD invited ultra-marathon runner Wong Ho Fai to join the Hong Kong runners. Augmenting the promotion of FWD North Pole Marathon 2020, the four Hong Kong representatives created a series of promotional videos themed “#MyCoolestFace” and were painted in realistic snow-like special effects make-up to accentuate the extremities of the arctic cold, highlighting their determination to conquer the North Pole. 

Speaking of being able to embark on the journey again, Annie expressed, “I’m more excited to be able to represent FWD Hong Kong again this year, giving me another chance to finish the challenge. The snow-like makeup reminded me of how harsh the environment was and it spurred me on be well prepared this year to cope with such extreme conditions.” 

On why he fell in love with running, Andy explained, “I take in part in the FWD North Pole Marathon was to motivate others to courageously pursue their dreams.” 

Hard Tsui said, “Last year's FWD ‘78° North’ Marathon was the first marathon I took part in under extreme weather conditions and it was an unforgettable experience. Having this opportunity again, I will leverage my previous experience, enjoy the race, and overcome the psychological pressure under such extreme climate. My goal is to break my record last year!”

Wong Ho Fai is very excited with the marathon in the polar region. “As an ultra marathon runner, I spent 73 days completing a 3,500 kilometers course. But when it comes to the extreme cold I am about to face, it will be a great challenge to my mind and body. I believe one’s potential is unlimited - we are able to challenge further and further with our determination.”

FWD Team Asia takes part in the world’s coldest marathon
The four Hong Kong runners will join eight runners from five regions in Asia to form FWD Team Asia. The team includes Thomas Jason Peters and Misaki Izuoka from Japan; Joyete Jopson from the Philippines; Thị Ly Bạch and Duy Quang Trần from Vietnam; Itthipol Samutthong and Somchai Khemglad from Thailand and Rob Schimek from FWD Group. 

– Ends –

About FWD Hong Kong & Macau
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 EcoMatcher
EcoMatcher plants trees and complete forests with vetted foundations / NGOs from around the world and specialized in tree planting. Through technology, EcoMatcher knows everything of every tree planted offering full transparency. For example, companies can use trees in their businesses as rewards (trees as reward for finishing a market survey), gifting (trees as meaningful corporate gift), employee engagement (every employee gets a tree from the company forest) and transparent carbon offsetting (offset your carbon footprint with precise number of trees).