APAO Fundraising Run
The 8th APAO Fundraising Run aims to promote the science and art of ophthalmology in the Asia-Pacific region. This year, donations will be used to support the APAO Gateway Project, Ebenezer School and Home for the Visually Impaired, and Blind Sports Hong Kong..
Events
Runners may take part in one or both of the following events:
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Run to Hong Kong
Participants can run anywhere in the world and accumulate distance (minimum 5km) from December 15, 2025 – January 31, 2026.
Please scroll down to the section “How to Upload Mileage” for detailed instructions.
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4.5km Run/Walk Challenge
Set against the magnificent backdrop of the Victoria Harbour, this challenge will take place on the Wan Chai Harbourfront near the Congress venue, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), on Day 3 of the Congress.
Timetable
Event Date: February 7, 2026 (Saturday)
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5:00 am-6:00 am |
Move-in and set up |
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6:00 am-6:30 am |
Registration |
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6:35 am-7:00 am |
Warm-up, Welcome remarks |
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7:00 am-7:30 am |
Run (first lap→second lap→ last lap)→4.5 km total |
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7:30 am-7:45 am |
Prize Presentation, photo taking, light breakfast |
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7:45 am-9:30 am |
Dismantle |
Eligibility
All participants who have completed their registration for the APAO 2026 Congress are welcome. If you have not yet settled your congress registration fee, please log on to our congress system and go to “Registration” > “Badges & Ticket” to complete the payment.
Categories
You can join as an individual runner or form a team with your friends and/or colleagues.
| Individual | Team |
| 3 categories:
– Young Ophthalmologists (aged ≤ 40) – Ophthalmologists (aged 41 or above) – Corporate (sponsors and exhibitors) |
Composed of at least 8 people |
Recommended Donation
As a charitable initiative, we recommend each participant to raise or contribute US$100.
The individual and the team which raise the highest amounts of donations will be recognized with an award. Please refer to the “Prizes and Awards” section below for details.
Registration Fee
Each runner is required to pay a registration fee of US$30, regardless of the selected event(s) and category.
Participants who join both the “Run to Hong Kong” and the “4.5 km Run/Walk Challenge” will be charged once only.
Registration and Payment Procedures
For the Young Ophthalmologists and the Ophthalmologists Categories
- Log in to the congress system. Select “Fundraising Run” under the “Social Program” section on the left sidebar of your account main page.
- Complete the registration form and submit it.
- Check out.
For the Corporate Category
Coming soon…
Limited Edition Running T-shirt
All participants who register by December 6, 2025 will be offered an event T-shirt. You will be asked to indicate your T-shirt size on the online registration form. Please note that the size cannot be changed afterwards.
For those who register beyond this date, T-shirts will be subject to stock availability.
How to Upload Mileage
Participants in “Run to Hong Kong” should upload their running records here (upload link will be released on Dec 15) to accumulate mileage.
Make sure you use one of the following GPS-enabled mobile devices/apps to show the mileage accumulated, clearly stating the date, distance, duration, and route:
You are required to record a minimum of 3 km per upload. However, there is no limit on the number of uploads throughout the event period. You are also encouraged to take pictures of the beautiful scenery of the route and/or yourself and upload them to share the joy!
Please note that records from running machines/treadmills will not be accepted. All records should be submitted by Jan 31, 2026, 12:00 GMT+8.
Participants who accumulate a minimum of 5km run with tracked records are considered having completed the event and will receive a digital certificate.
Souvenirs
| Souvenir | Run to Hong Kong |
4.5km Run/Walk Challenge |
| T-shirt
(for those who register by Dec 6, 2025) |
✓ | ✓ |
| Digital certificate | ✓ | ✓ |
| Finisher medal | N/A | ✓
(first come, first served) |
| Bib | N/A | ✓ |
| Water bottle | N/A | ✓ |
| Complimentary breakfast after the run | N/A | ✓ |
Prizes and Awards
| Awards | Category | Description | Prize |
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Race Awards |
Young Ophthalmologists | Fastest Male and Fastest Female finishing the 4.5km Run Challenge |
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| Ophthalmologists | Fastest Male and Fastest Female finishing the 4.5km Run Challenge | ||
| Corporate | Fastest Male and Fastest Female finishing the 4.5km Run Challenge | ||
| Young Ophthalmologists | Male and Female with the highest mileage finished in the “Run to Hong Kong” |
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| Ophthalmologists | Male and Female with the highest mileage finished in the “Run to Hong Kong” | ||
| Corporate | Male and Female with the highest mileage finished in the “Run to Hong Kong” | ||
| Highest Mileage Award in Group | The team with the highest mileage in the “Run to Hong Kong” event | ||
| Fundraising Awards | |
| Top Individual Fundraising Award |
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| Top Fundraising Award in Group |
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About the Beneficiaries
Half of the donations collected from the APAO Fundraising Run will be allocated to our APAO Gateway Project, while the remaining half will be donated to a local school and a local charity which serve the visually impaired.
APAO Gateway Project
The APAO Gateway Project (APAOGP) was conceived with the following objectives:
- To identify the ophthalmic needs of developing nations, which may include training, public health education, eye care delivery, infrastructure development, equipment, etc.;
- To help find these resources within APAO member nations or subspecialty societies;
- To raise the standard of ophthalmic care in developing nations by channeling such resources.
The APAOGP aims to reduce the prevalence of visual disability and blindness in the Asia-Pacific by creating partnerships between countries and organizations in the region to work towards this goal. This collaboration will ultimately pave the way for establishing sustainable eye care delivery programs with the ultimate aim of reducing ocular morbidity and blindness.
For more information about the APAO Gateway Project, please visit https://apaophth.org/about-the-project/.
Ebenezer School and Home for the Visually Impaired
Founded in 1897, Ebenezer School and Home for the Visually Impaired provides comprehensive educational, rehabilitation, career and boarding services for children with visual impairment and those visually impaired with intellectual and / or other disabilities, as well as residential care and nursing facilities for visually impaired elderly. It also offers employment training to visually impaired students and youths and develops job opportunities for its graduates. The school engages with other voluntary and government agencies at local, regional and international levels to maintain, improve and provide services to the visually impaired and deliver public education.
To learn more about Ebenezer School and Home for the Visually Impaired, please visit https://www.ebenezer.org.hk/en/index.
Blind Sports Hong Kong
Blind Sports Hong Kong Limited evolved from a former interest group under the Hong Kong Lutheran Social Services, Shek Kip Mei Lutheran Centre for The Blind and became an independent organization in 2018. It was formed with the aim of providing running and physical training for the visually impaired regardless of age. Through structured activities such as fitness exercises, walking and distance running, qualified volunteer coaches help the visually impaired enhance their physical mobility and general health wellbeing, encouraging them to step out of darkness and integrating into the community. It participates in various open running races both in Hong Kong and overseas.
To find out more about Blind Sports Hong Kong, please visit https://www.bshk.org/.
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