Smoke-free Run

Exercise reduces tobacco cravings and helps manage withdrawal symptoms. A study by the University of British Columbia¹ showed that half of the participants who had completed a 10-week community running programme aimed at smoking cessation were successful to quit smoking and improve their mental health. In recent years, running has become one of the most popular exercises in Hong Kong with various marathons and running events every year. To follow the success of Smoke-free Run 2019 with an overwhelming response of around 1,600 runners and citizens participated, Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health (COSH) will organize “Smoke-free Run” in virtual mode in order to echo the World No Tobacco Day 2021’s theme “Get Set．Go Smoke-free”. The event aims at motivating smokers to quit smoking through exercises and encouraging the public to build a healthy lifestyle. Wise Mike, the smoke-free ambassador will lead the public to join this healthy event.

To encourage more smokers, current quitters and successful quitters develop a smoke-free lifestyle through exercise, all the current and previous participants of “Quit to Win” Contest * can join the Event for free^.

The virtual running event will be divided to different categories according to course distances (10KM and 3KM) for Individual, Corporate Team, School Team, Smoke-free Buddy Team and Smoke-free Family Team. To equip participants before the Event, COSH will hold a series of online training workshop for individuals and families in March 2022. Professional coaches will be invited to provide professional advices on running techniques and benefits of exercising, introduce how to carry out training and promote parent-child exercises at home. The workshops will also share how exercising could help smoking cessation.

Each “Smoke-free Run” participant will receive a race pack, including a Wise Mike T-shirt, a race bib, a sports towel, a water bottle, a medal and sponsored souvenirs. The participants can disseminate smoke-free messages to their family and friends.

*The Organizer reserves the right to verify the identity of the participants or request to undertake the exhaled carbon monoxide test and/or saliva cotinine test after enrolment. Any person who provides invalid personal data or false details will be disqualified and shall re-submit the registration fee.
^The current and past participants of the “Quit to Win” Smoke-free Community Campaign can enjoy the registration fee waiver.