Fallen fireman’s colleagues run half marathon on his behalf at HK marathon

Colleagues of fallen fireman Ho Wai-ho ran the half marathon at the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon on Sunday carrying his race bib, fulfilling the wish of the firefighter who died in the Wang Fuk Court blaze.

Before the start of the third group of the half marathon, organizers held a minute of silence for Ho, who had signed up for the race. They announced his colleagues would run with his bib.

Ho’s fiancée, Kiki, posted on social media that colleagues from the Sha Tin Fire Station participated, carrying a photo of Ho and a firefighter doll. Videos showed the group wearing shirts printed with Ho’s fire service number “18469.” As they crossed the finish line, one held Ho’s race bib high, while another handed the doll with Ho’s photo to Kiki, who wept while holding it.

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Some colleagues later gave their finisher medals to Ho. Kiki wrote: “Fatty, your first time running a half marathon, well done. We completed it together again~ ‘The Fatty Ho Running Club’ is with you!! Thank you to the marathon and the Sha Tin brothers.”

Online users praised the team’s loyalty, calling the gesture moving and saying Ho’s colleagues were continuing the path he could not walk.