The first “Run For Food” Charity Virtual Run 2021 oragnised by ISS-HK raised over 300k, thanks to the support from generous sponsors and runners lending their helping hands to subdivided flat tenants in Shamshuipo. Funds raised will be spent on buying food packs and supermarket coupons for eligible ISS-HK service users in the area, whose livelihoods are deeply affected by the COVID pandemic. 

Held between 14November to 13December 2021,  the virtual race was co-organised with Running Biji, an online sports media and virtual race organiser. Participants were required to complete two steps to finish the race. First, they had to take pictures at special checkpoints selected in Sham Shui Po, Yau- Tsim, Wan Chai or Tin Shui Wai so they could take the chance to explore the community. Then, runners of different race categories were required to complete different distances. For Family Run, participants had to complete 5 to 10 km anywhere in Hong Kong. Individual runners competed on one (or more) on the designated 5km or 10km routes in four aforementioned districts. After recording their run with a tracking app and submitting the data, finishers of the Individuall Run were ranked in the leaderboards of their respective routes, and those who topped the lists won prizes including Altra Rivera running shoes and free nutritional meals.

Apart from having a fabulous tram advertisement running on the Hong Kong Island as kindly sponsored by Hong Kong Tramways Hong Kong, fencer Cheung Siu Lun and numerous running KOLs also helped promote the race either by showing up in promotional videos or posting in their own facebook and instagram pages. With their support, over 350 runners aged from 2 to 70 joined the race, including elite runners, amateur runners, corporate teams and families alike. One elite male runner and one elite female runner won the 1st places in all routes in the Individual Run, whereas two service users from the running club of Tin Shui Wai (North) Integrated Family Service Centre came second and third in the Women’s race on the Tin Shui Wai route. 

The prize presentation ceremony slated to be held on the 11 February was canceled due to the worsening COVID situation. Winners nonetheless picked up their prizes and posed for some happy photos. Hope to see you all again next year!