HKSOS x Sowers Action Challenging 12 Hours Charity Trail Marathon 2025

More than 1,300 runners participated across four race categories — 42km, 28km, 14km, and a 3km Family Fun Run — joining forces for a meaningful cause to support education for underprivileged children while promoting outdoor safety.

Sowers Action Chairman Mr. Raymond Lee expressed heartfelt thanks to all participants:“We sincerely thank all government departments, sponsoring organizations, volunteers, runners, and members of the media for their unwavering support and participation, which made the “Challenging 12 Hours Charity Trail Marathon” possible. Over the past 34 years, Sowers Action has extended its footprint across 16 provinces and 248 counties in Mainland China, as well as in various overseas regions. In recent years, we have also established the Sowers Action Service Centre in Sham Shui Po, serving over 1,600 grassroots families in Hong Kong. The ‘Challenging 12 Hours’ has been our signature charitable event for 27 consecutive years, and we are honored to collaborate with “HKSOS” this year to not only raise funds for children’s education but also to promote mountain and outdoor safety awareness. The success of this event truly relies on the collective efforts of everyone involved. In line with our belief that ‘Kindness Knows No Borders’, we are deeply grateful to every participant whose generosity helps sustain our mission in education and empowerment. Wishing all runners a safe and successful race, embodying the spirit of ‘Doing Good Brings Joy’.”

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Information Systems) Ms. Kwan Chui-ching remarked:“It is an honour for the Hong Kong Police Force to co-organize the ‘Challenging 12 Hours Charity Marathon’ with Sowers Action, bringing together the dual missions of education and technology. Since its launch in 2024, the HKSOS mobile application has successfully assisted over 270 citizens, averaging one rescue every two days. Its patented system integrates AI-powered incident detection, direct linkage to the 999 emergency centre, and an emergency contact network, forming a robust ‘safety triangle’ designed to enhance outdoor safety. We are especially delighted that over 1,300 runners participating today have downloaded HKSOS. Two weeks ago, our team also successfully conducted a satellite rescue test at an altitude of 5,600 meters in Nepal, marking an important milestone in validating cross-border emergency response capabilities. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to China Mobile Hong Kong for their strong support, and to every participant who has joined us in promoting both charity and safety through technology. I wish all runners a safe race and great success in this meaningful event.”

Secretary for Security Mr. Chris Tang also said: “I am delighted to once again be invited by Sowers Action to officiate at the ‘Challenging 12 Hours Charity Trail Marathon 2025’ and to witness the results of the runners’ dedication and hard training. Over the years, Sowers Action has been steadfast in supporting underprivileged children both in Hong Kong and overseas. In recent years, the organization has also refocused its efforts locally, including the establishment of a support centre in Sham Shui Po to assist grassroots families. This year, the event is expected to raise over one million Hong Kong dollars, a strong reflection of the city’s spirit of compassion and community engagement. In addition to the popular 3 km Family Run, I would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the six disciplined services and two auxiliary services under the Security Bureau for forming multiple teams to take part in the 42 km race, together with youth uniformed groups — jointly passing on the spirit of charity and service. Every participant, regardless of ranking, has already made a meaningful contribution to children’s education through their actions. This truly embodies the event’s mission of ‘Changing Lives Through Running’.”

This year’s event raised funds for Sowers Action’s Education Assistance Program for Underprivileged Students. All proceeds will support initiatives improving learning conditions and educational facilities both locally and abroad. Past projects have funded teacher development, school renovation, and the purchase of learning equipment — enabling students from deprived backgrounds to continue their studies under better conditions. Sowers Action has provided educational support in mainland China, Hong Kong, Myanmar, and Nepal. As of June 2025, its total funding contributions have exceeded HK$794 million.

At the same time, the event promotes public awareness of mountain and outdoor safety. Since the HKSOS mobile application launch in January 2024, it has successfully assisted 247 individuals in distress, demonstrating the importance of safety knowledge in outdoor activities.

To encourage family engagement, this year’s race continued to feature the 3km Family Fun Run, enabling parents and children to enjoy outdoor exercise while supporting a good cause.Now in its 27th year, the Challenging 12 Hours Charity Trail Marathon has drawn over 40,000 total participants and raised more than HK$55 million for educational projects, benefiting over 500,000 children in need.

This year’s race achieved remarkable results. In the 42 km category, Yip Tung Hoi claimed the Men’s Championship with an impressive finishing time of 4 hours, 24 minutes and 46 seconds, while Ng Chin Nam won the Women’s Championship in 5 hours, 9 minutes and 22 seconds. The result for the Team Relay Champion is “Team A”, comprising Lai Ka Pak、Swalikh Mohammed 、Chan Yu Fai、Tam Sze Huang, who completed the race in 7 hours, 4 minutes and 56 seconds.

For the 14 km race, Zeng Tsz Shing won the Men’s Championship with a time of 58 minutes and 27 seconds, while Lee Tsz Tung secured the Women’s title in 1 hour, 10 minutes and 44 seconds. In the Open Team Category, Team “Walk Faster! Hey!” finished first with a time of 1 hour, 33 minutes and 59 seconds.

Bronze Sponsors included Po Lin Monastery, Shang Sin Chun Tong Charitable Foundation, VTech Holdings Limited, Beijing Enterprises Holdings Limited, New Town Medical, Cool Partners International Limited, Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc., HILX, Nutriworks Limited, Tiger Balm, Chuan Tong Natural Fermented Yogurt Limited, Legacy Footcare and HMN International Smart Co., Limited. Dozens of volunteers from various organizations and government departments served along the trail, providing water, snacks, timekeeping, and first aid support — ensuring every participant could complete their race safely and enjoyably.

Established in 1992, Sowers Action is a non-religious, non-political and non-profit-making charitable organization in Hong Kong, committed to promoting educational development and supporting livelihood needs, including school construction, student sponsorship, teacher training, children’s home operation and community development, to help disadvantaged groups around the world.

Sowers Action adheres to the principle of “Field Assessment, Direct Funding, and Long-term Follow-up.” Every dollar raised goes entirely to education projects, with operational expenses covered by separate fund-raising.

By December 2024, Sowers Action had funded educational and humanitarian projects in mainland China, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Thailand, and Nepal, with accumulated funding exceeding HK$781 million.

Subsidies over the Years*

Mainland China:

• Constructed 1,310 schools and dormitory buildings, and funded 463 supporting educational facilities.
• Sponsored education for 500,000 student beneficiaries, covering primary, secondary, university, and vocational school levels.
• Provided training for 32,000 teachers, including special education and English instruction programs.
• Distributed 180,000 winter jackets to students living in remote mountainous regions.
• Supported the operation of three children’s homes and one girls’ high school.