Grow As One: AS Watson celebrates 185 years with a sporting stride

For AS Watson, its 185th anniversary is a celebration of shared progress as much as heritage. At this year’s Watsons Athletic Club (WAC) Annual Challenge, that step took the form of a new 185m Open Challenge, an invitation for people of different  generations to take to the track alongside young athletes striving for excellence. 

Held at Wan Chai Sports Ground over two consecutive weekends — 26 and 27 September and 3 and 4 October — the Annual Challenge attracted over 6,300 participants and reached full enrolment for the seventh consecutive year. The youngest participant was just five, while the inaugural anniversary challenge welcomed competitors including a 67-year-old.

Combining high-calibre competition with inclusive activities, the event reflected the Group’s anniversary theme, “Grow As One”: a shared journey in which people of different ages, abilities and ambitions can participate, progress and thrive through sport.

A milestone everyone can share

Founded in Hong Kong in 1841, AS Watson has evolved from a small dispensary into the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer. Its anniversary narrative places customers, colleagues and communities at the heart of that journey, reflecting an enduring commitment to care and connection.

The “AS Watson Group 185th Anniversary 185m Open Challenge” brought this commitment onto the athletics track. Introduced to commemorate the Group’s milestone year, the race encouraged people across the community to embrace an active lifestyle and connect through sport.

The wider programme made space for families, too. Kids Athletics and the 100m Family Relay encouraged children to get moving while strengthening parent-child interaction and family bonds. Interactive booths run by brands and partner organisations complemented the sporting action, sharing health information and encouraging healthy everyday habits through engaging games.

For Ms. Rebecca Chiu Wing Yin, Community Relations Manager of AS Watson, the event’s strong response showed how enthusiasm for sport can be translated into participation.

“We are very encouraged to see the public move beyond watching and appreciating sports events to actively taking part in sport themselves, working together to promote a healthy and vibrant community culture.”

The response to the 185m Open Challenge reflected this shared aspiration: whether pursuing a personal best, cheering on a young athlete or joining a family activity, participants came together through sport.

Giving young talent room to grow

Alongside its inclusive activities, the Annual Challenge provided a high-calibre competitive platform for athletes to test their training and gain race experience. Sanctioned by the Hong Kong China Association of Athletics Affiliates (HKAAA), the event  featured male and female divisions across six age categories, with 13 track events, six field events and two relay events.

This year’s competition showcased a wealth of emerging talent, with several young athletes delivering impressive performances. Jasper Koo Cheuk Fung, Wang Nok Wang and Walter Yip Tin Ching each showed considerable promise, while Cheung Cheuk He clocked 52.57 seconds in the U18 men’s 400m hurdles, setting a new Hong Kong youth record. A particular highlight came from with Xie Jia Hui, who broke the Hong Kong U18 women’s shot put record with a throw of 14.52 metres.
 
Those achievements reflect a commitment that extends well beyond a single competition. Founded by AS Watson in 1989, WAC supports local athletic talent through training programmes and opportunities to compete, helping young people develop their abilities and pursue sporting excellence.

Today, WAC has more than 2,100 members, including nearly 100 athletes and coaches who are members of Team Hong Kong. Since launching the Watsons Junior Elite Training Programme in 2001, it has nurtured more than 700 high-potential junior athletes.

WAC also recognises that young athletes develop beyond the track. Through ongoing engagement with parents, WAC supports members’ progress in sport, academic achievement and personal conduct, helping them grow as individuals while pursuing their athletic ambitions.

From grassroots development to the Asian stage

The connection between grassroots development and international competition was evident at the recent Nagoya Asian Games, where nearly half of Hong Kong’s 37 track and field representatives came from WAC.

Among them, Chan Chun Ho broke the Hong Kong records in both the men’s 400m and 400m hurdles. Chin Man Kit finished fifth in the men’s half-marathon race walk, while Lin Ming Fu placed eighth in the men’s long jump.

Their achievements offer younger competitors a compelling example of where sustained training can lead. The Annual Challenge, in turn, gives emerging athletes valuable opportunities to gain race experience and realise their potential.

As AS Watson marks its 185th anniversary, the Annual Challenge brings its community commitment into focus. Record performances, children’s activities and a race open to different generations all contribute to the same endeavour: helping people grow through participation.
At Wan Chai Sports Ground, “Grow As One” was brought to life through the determination of young athletes, the involvement of families and the willingness of people across generations to step onto the track.