600 CityUHK runners join SCHKM 2026, showcasing team spirit and perseverance
About 600 members of the City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) community came together to form the “CityUHK Marathon Team” for the annual Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2026 (SCHKM) on 18 January. Runners from across the University, including management staff, faculty, students and alumni, took part with dedication and enthusiasm, exemplifying determination, teamwork and perseverance. As in previous years, some CityUHK participants teamed up with students with special educational needs, reflecting the University’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
This year’s CityUHK delegation was particularly strong, with about 180 participants in the full marathon, about another 180 in the half marathon, and over 220 in the 10km race. Several members of the Council and the University’s senior management joined the 10km event, running alongside students, alumni and colleagues. Among them were Council Chairman Professor the Hon Michael Ngai, Council Member Mr Robert Lui Chi-wang, Mr Rex Wong Siu-han, Secretary to the Council Professor Kevin Downing and Deputy Secretary Mr Ronald Chu Chi-yin; as well as Professor Michael Yang Mengsu, Senior Vice‑President (Innovation and Enterprise); Professor Anderson Shum Ho-cheung, Vice‑President (Research); Professor Alex Wong Chun-yuen, Dean of Students; Professor Dannii Yeung Yuen-lan, Associate Provost (Student Life); Professor Ray Cheung Chak‑chung, Associate Provost (Digital Learning); and Professor Toh Kian Lam, Director of Student Development Services. Participants from various colleges, departments and offices encouraged one another, running together towards their goals, providing an inspiring demonstration of unity across the CityUHK community.
This was Professor Ngai’s first time representing CityUHK in the SCHKM. He said he was delighted to experience this meaningful event with the CityUHK community, which strengthened his sense of teamwork and belonging. “Running is often seen as an individual sport,” he said. “But throughout the preparation and the race, I strongly felt the connection among the CityUHK community. Whether running alongside classmates and colleagues or hearing cheers from our support team along the route, every step felt far from solitary. I hope our CityUHK community will continue to embrace the discipline, perseverance and endurance fostered by running and move forward together — one step at a time — toward our shared goals.”
Professor Chan Chi Hou, Vice‑President (Community Engagement), also attended the event to cheer on the CityUHK runners. He encouraged staff and students to continue to build physical and mental resilience through sports and to bring this positive energy back to the campus.
Mr Chung Wai‑keung, Technical Officer from the Campus Development Office, has served CityUHK for more than 30 years and has participated in the SCHKM 15 times. This year, he completed the full marathon. Running has long been part of his daily routine — during lunch breaks, he often trains around the campus, passing through areas such as Nam Shan Estate and Shek Kip Mei, using the hilly terrain to strengthen his stamina and endurance. Rain or shine, he keeps running, sometimes joined by colleagues. When asked what keeps him motivated, he said it’s not about performance but enjoying the experience: “I take joy in the scenery along the way, and in listening to every step I take. When fatigue sets in, I think of my coach and teammates’ encouragement; and when I pass the CityUHK cheering stations, I feel the passion and support from those cheering for us.” He added that gathering with fellow CityUHK runners each year is always a great pleasure, deepening his sense of belonging. “The marathon is not just a race,” he says. “It’s a celebration that brings the CityUHK family together.”
This year, CityUHK continuing its Inclusive Run tradition to promote the spirit of inclusion and foster a more accepting community. A total of 33 participants, comprising CityUHK runners and students with special educational needs, form teams to complete the race together. Participants came from Mary Rose School and TWGHs Chi-Li Pao School. Over the three months leading up to the race, the teams trained diligently, building trust and teamwork. On race day, they supported one another and crossed the finish line hand in hand to complete the 10 km race, showcasing the power of sports to foster connections and inclusion. Brian Lo Chun-yin, a Year 2 student in the Department of Chinese and History, served as an Inclusive Run trainer for the second year. He shared: “Witnessing the effort and sweat that the students put into training and then seeing them achieve their target time during the race, was truly moving. Their perseverance also gave me great strength and became my motivation in my own race.”
Brian also participated in the 10 km race himself, finishing in 41 minutes. He expressed pride in representing CityUHK, describing the marathon team’s atmosphere as harmonious, with members supporting one another and selflessly sharing experiences, which made him feel the warmth of a “second home”. He also thanked the University for its thorough support and arrangements during the event, noting that as an athlete at CityUHK, he feels deeply valued and respected.
Beyond the runners striving on the course, the cheering squads lining the route were equally an indispensable part of the CityUHK team. Nearly a hundred students, staff, and alumni formed groups at different points along the race to cheer on the athletes, offering encouragement and support. CityUHK also set up a booth in Victoria Park, Causeway Bay, offering baggage storage, physiotherapy support and refreshments. The booth served as a hub for staff, students and alumni to gather, exchange experiences and cheer for one another, providing a heartwarming display of CityUHK’s community spirit and culture of care.