Standard Chartered marathon inspires resilience and determination

The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2025, taking place this Sunday, is set to draw over 70,000 enthusiastic runners from around the globe, including participants with disabilities who aim to inspire Hong Kong's youth with their unwavering spirit.

William Tang Siu-chung, captain of Hong Kong’s deaf bowling team and a primary school teacher, shared with The Standard’s sister newspaper, Sing Tao Daily, that deaf runners face greater challenges compared to their able-bodied counterparts during their race preparations. 

He encourages young people to embrace determination and resilience.

Tang will be participating in the 10-kilometer race for the first time on February 9. 

The route begins at the Island Eastern Corridor near the Central-Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel and concludes at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay.

In an interview facilitated by sign language interpreter Jessica, Tang, who lost his hearing at the age of three due to a fever, reflected on his experiences growing up in mainstream schools. 

He recounted how his identity as a deaf individual often affected his confidence: "I never really dared to look directly at my teachers and classmates," he said.

By joining the 10-kilometer race, Tang hopes to test his endurance, immerse himself in the vibrant racing atmosphere, and ultimately complete the event. 

He addressed the concerning trend among some Hong Kong youths who may give up easily or adopt a "lying-flat" lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. 

Tang aims to instill this resilience in his students and plans to share his race experience with them.

He also said the inadequacies of Hong Kong's sports facilities for the disabled, despite recognizing government efforts to improve them. 

Tang added that emergency announcements in sports venues often rely solely on audio, leaving deaf individuals uninformed. 

He raised concerns about the lack of clear instructions for deaf participants during the race, fearing they might miss crucial updates in emergencies.

Another inspiring participant, Merrick Ho Yui-chi, financial secretary of the Hong Kong Blind Union, will run in the marathon alongside his 60-year-old father and his guide runner. 

Completely blind in his left eye and with only 1 percent vision in his right, Ho remains undaunted, relying on his other senses to navigate the environment, supported by his guide during the race.

Ho also voiced his concerns over potential cuts to social welfare funding due to the government's fiscal challenges, insisting that “not even a single dollar should be cut.”

(Adelyn Lau and Stacy Shi)