Our Story

Get ready to conquer the stairs! The annual Hong Chi Climbathon is hitting Central Plaza on October 18, and our students and participants are in full-on training mode, gearing up to shine! This year, our Hong Chi Integration Ambassadors, Chan Yui-lam and Alex Fong, split up in early summer to visit Hong Chi Morninghill School, Tsui Lam, and Hong Chi Lions Morninghill School to cheer on the teams, share pro tips, and soak up the training buzz!

Yui-lam’s Heartfelt Homecoming
As a proud alumna of Hong Chi Morninghill School, Tsui Lam, Chan Yui-lam is no stranger to smashing goals. Spotted by her teachers for her swimming talent, she found her passion and confidence in the pool, leading to a silver medal in the Women’s S14 100m Butterfly at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, breaking an Asian record. Despite her packed training schedule, Yui-lam jumped at the chance to be this year’s Integration Ambassador. “It’s my way of giving back to Hong Chi and my alma mater for all their support,” she says, encouraging everyone to join the stair climb and spread the love for inclusion.

During her visit to her alma mater, Yui-lam introduced leg-lift training and breathing techniques to her juniors. She explained that stair climbing and swimming share similarities: leg-lift exercises enhance hip strength and flexibility, while improved core balance reduces the risk of falls. The breathing technique, a pre-race ritual she uses to boost focus, helps athletes relax and perform at their best.
 
Flying Fish Takes on Stairs
After warming up, it was time for stair climbing! Our “Flying Fish” swapped water for steps and found her first stair climb totally exciting (scan the QR code above to catch her sprint!). Though she never raced during her school days, Yui-lam presented the “Best Costume Award” at last year’s 7-floor Family Fun Run, where interesting family outfits stole the show alongside the hardcore runners. 

This year’s 75-floor individual race has been certified by the Towerrunning World Association as Hong Kong’s only international event with 60 points, attracting world-class competitors in past editions. Yui-lam was surprised, saying, “I thought it was just a way to promote inclusion through sport, but I didn’t realize stair climbing could gain international recognition!”
 
When asked whether she’d prefer the fun run or the competitive race to the top, Yui-lam pondered briefly before choosing to challenge herself: “As an athlete who competes abroad, the competitive category feels more fitting!” She then added, “75-floors is quite a lot,” and “I might not finish that quickly.” Newcomers need not worry, as the event also offers a 29-floor individual race, 29- and 75-floor relay races, and a new 7-floor individual race, allowing people of all abilities to enjoy sports while supporting charity.
 
A Passion for Running
Over at Hong Chi Lions Morninghill School, Alex Fong, our two-time Integration Ambassador, reunited with last year’s training squad. Under Mr. Sze’s lead, the team split into two groups for high-energy fun: reaction-light tapping and beanbag-jumping games to sharpen reflexes and teamwork. As a former athlete, Alex’s competitive spirit remains strong. He led the group to a nearby reservoir park for endurance running training. With satisfaction, Alex said, “After two laps, everyone looked relaxed and at ease. I’m confident they’ve laid a solid foundation for the upcoming races. They’re definitely going to achieve great results this year.”

A year later, Alex still remembered each student’s name and traits, noting their growth while highlighting their unchanged passion for running and sports. Alex believes sports not only promote healthy growth but also provide a goal: “When they put in effort, they gain rewards and satisfaction, which motivates them to keep going.”

Beyond training with students, Alex attended last year’s event and described the atmosphere as fantastic, with teams from companies, celebrities, and volunteers joining in. Another highlight was the themed market, showcasing and selling exquisite handicrafts made by Hong Chi students and trainees. Alex purchased a ceramic cup with a 3D cloud pattern, which he still uses today, praising its unique craftsmanship.

Climb for a Cause
As Hong Kong’s longest-running charity vertical race, the Hong Chi Climbathon symbolizes overcoming obstacles alongside people with intellectual disabilities, building dreams together. Supporting the event for two consecutive years, Alex was inspired by the students’ efforts, sharing, “With a far-reaching vision and strong determination, all obstacles seem small.” Like stair climbing, the journey may seem long and daunting, but by taking one step at a time, everyone can reach the finish line.

Registration is now open until September 9, 2025, Tuesday. Sign up via the official Hong Chi Climbathon website at https://hongchi.org.hk/climbathon to support this meaningful cause. Join us to “Step Up Together”!