Get active for a good cause

The arrival of autumn is drawing us back outdoors, just in time for the return of many of Hong Kong’s best-loved charity races – some following a long pandemic-induced hiatus. Running, walking and hiking are all great ways to enjoy the fresh air and get your blood pumping, and when you do them for a good cause, they’re even more rewarding.

Check out these upcoming races in Hong Kong and get inspired to start your own fitness journey.  

Barclays MoonTrekker: 13-14 October 

The Cathay-sponsored Barclays MoonTrekker takes you on a scenic overnight hike from Mui Wo to Lantau Peak – hopefully in time for sunrise. Designed for weekend warriors rather than hardcore hikers, it offers a choice of three routes: 18km, 30km or 40km. Each participant is required to raise HK$500 for The Nature Conservancy , a nonprofit committed to protecting natural ecosystems. Launched in 2009, the MoonTrekker has garnered more than HK$15 million for environmental education and sustainability initiatives.  

The Hunger Run: 15 October 

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, local enterprise Foodsport has themed its annual Hunger Run around Cha Kee, or Hong Kong-style cafes. Take on one of three whimsically named routes – the 10km Buttered Pineapple Bun Run, the 3km Deep Fried Chicken Leg Run or the 1km Milk Tea Run – to arrive at a food carnival brimming with cha kee delicacies. The funds raised will go both to Foodsport and partner charity J Life Foundation Limited, which supports at-risk children and underprivileged families in the city. 

Unicef 2023 Run for Every Child: 5 November

Also partially sponsored by Cathay, Unicef’s 2023 Run for Every Child welcomes runners across a range of ages to take part in a 3km, 5km, 10km or 15km race at the happiest place on Earth: Hong Kong Disneyland. Donations start at HK$400, and the funds generated will go towards initiatives that support children’s health, nutrition, and hygiene, among other needs. Now in its 15th year, the Unicef charity run has raised more than HK$144 million for these vital services.  

Lamma8: 18 November 

Organised by the Child Welfare Scheme, a charity providing humanitarian support in Nepal, the Lamma8 offers the choice of either a 8km or 14km course that weaves through the island’s most scenic spots, including Kamikaze Cave, Picnic Bay, and Mo Tat New Village. Race fees start at HK$300, which only covers event costs, so additional donations of any amount are welcome. All proceeds will go towards providing scholarships to underprivileged youths in Nepal. 

Run Charity Trail Race: 25 November 

NGO Run Hong Kong is bringing back its Run Charity Trail Race after four years, welcoming individuals, families, and children as young as six years old to complete either a 1.5km or 8km route around the scenic trails of Tai Tam. A minimum donation of HK$350 per adult, HK$250 per child or HK$550 per family is required, and the funds raised will help Run continue its tireless efforts to support vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers, particularly women, in Hong Kong.  

Orbis Moonwalkers 2023: 25 November 

Get your night goggles ready for Moonwalkers , an annual fundraising night walkathon first launched by Orbis in 2006. The 2023 edition will start at Ocean Park, loop around Pok Fu Lam and end back at the park, totalling 16km. Prior to the walk, you’ll be able to get your face painted, try out some crafts and take part in a Best Dressed Challenge inside the amusement park. Fees start at HK$500, and all funds raised will go directly to Orbis’ sight-saving projects worldwide.  

More wellness challenges 

Still want to get moving? Work your way through wellness challenges on our Asia Miles by Cathay app to earn miles for extra motivation, or that you can donate for a good cause.

With our wellness journey in the app, you can earn miles for getting in your daily quota of steps and hours of sleep, and for completing activities like running, cycling, stretching and yoga. Got your five servings of fruit and vegetables? Stayed hydrated? You get miles for those too. 

The app also keeps you on your toes with timed challenges such as 700 minutes of hiking across 50 days.

Every user can earn up to 2,555 miles per year – and once you’ve racked up all those miles, you can do your bit by donating them to worthy causes like Unicef’s above-mentioned “Run for Every Child” campaign , or its other efforts to provide global humanitarian aid , school supplies for pupils in need or sachets of milk for malnourished children .

If you’re interested in local causes, you can donate via the Cathay Shop to Hong Kong nonprofit Kely Support Group , which runs workshops in mental health as well as drug and alcohol abuse prevention. You can also support the organisation’s “This Hong Kong Life” podcast , which highlights the real-life stories of youths from all walks of life in the city.