A pair of Hong Kong-based ultra-runners (which means they’re crazy enough to run routes longer than marathons) are currently finishing up a 1020kilometre mission in the shape of an umbrella to show their support for the city’s Occupy Central movement.
Finance worker John Ellis and teacher Andrew Dawson, both of whom are ourdoorsy Australians, set off at 4am this morning and are expected to finish at around 7pm tonight.
Explaining the route, Ellis said, “Starting from Shing Mun Reservoir at 4am, then heading west to Tai Lam, then across to Tai Po, down to Sai Kung, back to Tai Wai, which completes the umbrella canopy. After that, we head south to TST including a stop at the Mongkok protest site, MTR to the government offices at Admiralty, then over the Peak to Aberdeen and around to Pokfulam to complete the umbrella handle.”
Ellis added that he got the idea from the recent craze of GPS art, which has seen runners of seemingly juvenile persuasions map out penis-shaped routes in San Francisco. Hurrah!
The pair, who claim they only planned today’s show of support on Monday and wanted to do it “quietly”, said they realised the power of running after joining the four kilometre Umbrella Run from Lennon Wall on Oct. 16 and observing, “how much even a little run could help to lift the spirits of the protestors out in Admiralty.”
Since setting up a Facebook group (830 members and counting) and Twitter account (good way to keep it quiet, guys), the duo have been joined on (parts of) the route by dozens of other pro-democracy runners.
Talking about why they were willing to make such a tiring statement, Ellis said, “I’ve been really touched by the sacrifice, determination, creativity and restraint shown by the students and other democracy protesters over the past month.”
Way to say thanks, fellas!
Photos: Facebook
Reader Interactions