On March 30, a landmark inclusive sporting event brought together 150 students with special educational needs (SEN) from Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Macao, marking the first time Macao has joined this cross-regional initiative. Accompanied by 300 supporting teachers and volunteers, the participants completed a 3.5-kilometer route through the scenic green spaces of Shanghai Expo Culture Park, crossing the finish line to cheers from crowds of attendees.
The event was co-organized by three regional institutions: the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, the Federation of Hong Kong-Shanghai Association, and the Hong Kong Special Education School Heads Association, with financial support from the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Built on the foundation of Shanghai Marathon charity programs held in 2023 and 2024, the gathering was designed to advance three core goals: deepen cross-regional cooperation in special education, support the social integration of SEN students, and strengthen youth exchanges across the three regions through the shared language of sport.
Leung Wing-hung, founding chairman of the Hong Kong Special Education School Heads Association, emphasized that events like this run play a transformative role in shifting public perceptions of special needs young people. “They help people in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Macao really see the potential of our special needs children and give them opportunities for growth and development in various fields,” Leung said. Looking ahead to future collaboration, he noted that Shanghai and Hong Kong share strong complementary strengths in special education, with significant untapped potential for closer cooperation in adaptive sports development to create more engagement opportunities for SEN students. Beyond sport, he added, regions can work together to improve teaching practices and career support, connecting Hong Kong SEN students with professional opportunities at Shanghai-based businesses and organizations.
After the run concluded, participants gathered for an inclusive awards ceremony followed by a cross-regional carnival that offered a range of accessible activities. Attendees could join Special Olympics-themed games, interact with trained equine animals in a guided equestrian experience, and enjoy live performances by fellow SEN participants. A highlight of the post-race event was the world premiere of *You Make The World Shine*, an animated short film entirely created by SEN students using artificial intelligence tools. The project represents an innovative new approach to empowering special needs young people to express their own voices and build meaningful connections with the broader public through technology.
Derek Anderson, a learning support teacher at Wellington College International Shanghai who accompanied students to the event, praised the gathering’s powerful core message of inclusion. “It is very important for students coming to Shanghai today who have taken part in the run to see that everybody is all the same and we can all do things,” Anderson explained. He added that accessible, community-focused events like this run are critical to raising public awareness of the needs of disabled people, helping the general public recognize that many people require additional support, accessible infrastructure, and tailored accommodations to fully participate in community life.
For many participating students, the event offered a rare chance to build new cross-regional friendships and experience the joy of sport in a supportive environment. Kirsty Gu, an SEN student from Wellington College International Shanghai, shared that she greatly enjoyed the day, particularly the opportunity to meet new people and run alongside a new partner she connected with just before the event.
Organizers noted that the first-time inclusion of Macao participants marks an important step forward in building a connected, inclusive support network for SEN students across all three regions, with plans to expand cross-regional collaboration in the coming years.