Foreword
Albeit Hong Kong is tiny, she possesses copious wilderness with magnificent sceneries and high degree of biodiversity. In particular, the northeastern part of the New Territories still holds the natural habitat and scenery that are so pristine and uninterrupted from urban development. This explains its high value of appreciation, which is contributed by the wonderful Plover Cove Reservoir, the genuine farming villages and the bio-valuable Yan Chau Tong Marine Park.

Aim
Through this marathon, HKTraveler not only offers a chance for body fitness, but also a chance to appreciate the beautiful views in the northeastern New Territories, the culture of villages, the unique ecology, and thus to aware the importance of environmental protection. We firmly believe that this marathon will present economic benefit to the local villagers, and so the sustainable development of the natural habitat and the village.

About the Organizer
The website of HKTraveler.com, which established in April 2000, is the first one to promote family hiking with a theme on natural ecology. Now we have nearly 20,000 members who are all nature-lovers. It is rich in content, organizes activities and ecotours energetically, promotes fun in hiking and the knowledge of the nature. In such a way, we are initiated to keep fit, to care the nature and to elevate the breath of mind. HKTraveler.com awarded “The Best Theme Site” of “Hi-Tech Web Award 2001”, “Ten Healthy Websites Contest 2003”, “Ten Best Websites of Yahoo Hong Kong” in 2004, a member of “Caring Company” from 2003-2007 and HSBC Living Business in 2007.

About Children's Heart Foundation
The Children's Heart Foundation (CHF) is a registered charitable organization established ion 10th November 1994 and devoted to work for children suffering from congenital heart disease. Their services are all funded by generous donation from warm-hearted individuals and organizations. Nowadays, approximately 400 babies are born each year with some forms of heart defects in Hong Kong , those who are born with rather severe heart defects may require cardiac surgery or catheter intervention in early infancy. Despite treatment is made, some children have residual problems that need long-term medical, financial and psychological support s. Our objectives are: to raise the public awareness on congenital heart disease, to provide financial, psychological and informative supports to families with children suffering from that disease, and t o advocate the related research and treatment.

Why Children's Heart Foundation is the beneficiary?
You must then look for the answer from Little Mark, son of our webmaster, Charles. Little Mark is now 13, just proceeded to Form 2 and he had his first trekking with parents at the age of 3. He was born with congenital heart disease. In 2000, he was admitted to Grantham Hospital for a heart surgery at the age of fiveand is now growing up healthily after quick recovery. While under treatment, Little Mark initially helped the Foundation in its fund raising campaigns. Through this marathon, both Charles and Little Mark expect to promote the services of Children's Heart Foundation and to enable these services be delivered to those heart-defected children, such that they can walk hand-in-hand with him to enjoy the fun of hiking in the countryside of Hong Kong.