The heat was brutal and the steps were unforgiving but they could not dampen the Valley atmosphere, the vibe, the enthusiasm and determination to climb 24 Everests in 24 hours.

That was the assignment handed down for this year’s Valley Everest 24x Challenge.

At first it seemed like a hopeless prank, that we could somehow muster the horsepower and the will power, to scale the steps of Shing Wong Street 11,000 times over a 24-hour period.

On top of the physical demands, another goal was set to raise HK$500,000 for four charities that would benefit those less lucky in the big city.

During the weeks ahead of the event, that ran from 6pm 20th August to 6pm 21st August, teams started to register, donations and pledges started to flow and confidence began to build but still there was a nagging doubt – 212,000 metres of vertical gain in baking heat!

At 6pm on Friday 20th August, the Challenge burst to life with four teams surging up the 120 steps of Shing Wong Street between Bridges Street and Caine Road. The Netball Cheetahs, the Hockey Mothers, the Hockey Chicks and the Valley Fort U5-U8 kids and parents got us off to a flyer with 1.8 Everest’s completed in just 60 minutes.

But it was the second hour that really blew the event into overdrive with four more teams absolutely swarming the hill like worker ants. The Lego bricks could not be counted quick enough as the Knackered Nags, the Bon Aqua team, the Soc Gen team and the 60+ kids and adults from the Valley Fort U9/10 came firing down the steps at a rapid rate and with a final total of 4.2 Everests! It was incredible.

Throughout the following 22 hours, the hill was trodden by another 35 teams that each gave a hundy to the cause. While there are too many teams to mention, some extra special mentions should be made of the following –

All the Valley Fort teams who rumbled the hill from 6pm to midnight on Friday, completing 2,728 dashes up the steps and an amazing 6.2 Everests.
Alina who literally did the full 24 hours, with occasional breaks
TY, Bella, Bernie, Danny and the rest of the Pinnacle team who started at midnight and went through to noon Saturday, completing between 110-150 ascents each over that time!
Young Sydney from the Fort U12 team that completed 53 climbs throughout the Friday evening
The teams from our supported charities – Harmony House, SoCO and Kely Support Group
The teams from our sponsors – Societe Generale and Bon Aqua
The new King and Queen of the Hill, Ferdinand and Adie with 37 and 35 ascents.
Those who tackled the hill with kids on their shoulders, beers in their hands, flip flops on their feet, unicorn outfits on their bodies
Massive thanks to all the team captains who coordinate their teams
the volunteers who managed the shifts and counted all those Lego bricks
To the good folks at Oolaa Restaurant who provided us with their terrace, special takeaway menus, tents, eskis, ice, tables and a place to enjoy great food and beverage.

The full report at a team level can be viewed here - https://bit.ly/EverestData

The total stats were –

11,193 total ascents up the hill
239,660 vertical metres gained
27.09 equivalent ascents of Mount Everest
1,437km of horizontal distance covered
34.2 marathons of horizontal distance
43 teams
650 estimate participants

Fundraising

Raising awareness and funds for charities was a major focus of the event, with a target of $500,000 being set. As of publication, the current tally has reached about $430,000 which is amazing.

The club is so proud and appreciative of the generosity and support of our members, friends, and supporters.

If you did not have chance to donate, you can still do so until 31st of August by visiting the campaign page at https://www.charitablechoice.org.hk/en/campaigns/vrfc2021

Valley Family

To sum up, this event showed the amazing Valley Family spirit – right across the club, all teams, all ages – and reinforces how important sport, friendship, teamwork and fun are in our Hong Kong lives. We battled through heat and much discomfort to be together and to contribute within our community.

We have fired shots ahead of a new season.