Kiprotich takes fourth Unicef title
New-born children were the big winners at Hong Kong Disneyland yesterday when more than 13,000 people took to the roads for the fifth staging of the Unicef Charity Run.
More than HK$8.5 million raised will help children avoid the impact of HIV/Aids, thanks to Unicef's global campaign to test pregnant women and to prevent the transmission of the HIV/Aids virus to babies.
Peter Lowe, vice-president for hotel operations at HK Disneyland, said he was delighted with all aspects of yesterday's event.
'We had a record number of entries, and through the generosity of the runners and sponsors we have also seen a record amount of money raised for a very worthy cause,' he said.
Thomas Kiprotich won his fourth straight Unicef half-marathon, despite being a doubtful starter just 30 minutes before the gun at 6.30am.
'I've had a bad week as I've been suffering with a cough and cold, and I also had a splitting headache when I woke up early this morning,' Kiprotich, who ran one hour, 10 minutes and 16 seconds, said.
Chan Ka-ho enjoyed yesterday's ideal conditions to finish second in the half marathon in 1:11:23, while Colin Fishwick finished third just 10 seconds behind.
The top three finishers in the women's half-marathon all came from the senior (34-44) age group, with Fan Sui-ping taking the tile in 1:24.47. Chan Pui-shan and Leong Yuen-fan were second and third.
Gi Ka-man claimed his third successive 10km title after being pushed hard by Curtis Barclay over the first half of the race. He pulled away over the closing stages to record a winning time of 32:27.
Yiu Kit-ching (36:23) enjoyed a three-minute victory over veteran Angelina Kong in the women's 10km race and then jumped on a train to head off to work at the Nethersole Hospital in Tai Po.
'I was probably the only one who was glad of the early start this morning, as I had to be at work by 10am,' the nurse said.
