Xtep as SCHKM competition's Apparel Partner

08 Oct '11

3 min read

Xtep International Holdings Limited, a leading fashion sportswear enterprise in the PRC, announced that the Company has been appointed the apparel partner of Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2012. This is the first time in 16 years that the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon has introduced a Mainland sports brand as its apparel partner.

Xtep will supply competition apparel for up to 70,000 athletes from around the world in February of next year, and through this high-profile event the “Love Running, Love Xtep” brand spirit will spread through the international metropolis of Hong Kong.

The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon is Hong Kong's largest marathon, receiving approval from the Hong Kong SAR Government's Major Sports Events Committee to become a Major Sports Event ('M' Mark event), and is one of Asia's most watched annual sporting events. Since 1997, the number of participants and the scale of the event have been on the rise.

Last year's tournament attracted the participation of long distance runners from more than 70 countries around the world, including China, Taipei, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Ethiopia, Kenya, Netherlands, Russia, Ukraine and Poland, etc., the registered participant list filled up within just two weeks.

This year the quota has been increased to 70,000 people, breaking all previous records. Heading into its 16th year, the aggregate number of participants has already exceeded 500,000 people, and the prize money for this year's competition has been increased to USD227,000, successfully promoting this Hong Kong-held marathon to the world.

Having reached an agreement, Xtep is appointed the competition's apparel partner, and will provide the runners with competition apparel, helping them optimize their performance during the run. The event has also attracted many celebrities and well-known artists to participate, and has become a hot topic for media in China, Hong Kong and overseas. The Company is confident that sponsoring this key sporting event in Asia will greatly enhance Xtep's visibility and credibility.

Mr. Ding Shui Po, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Xtep said, “For Xtep to be appointed the first Mainland supplier for this competition to support the development of the marathon, we are very excited and honored. Running sportswear has always been one of the core focuses of Xtep's sports product development, and the Company is enhancing product design and performance to meet the needs of the marathon and fully support the runners.

Last year, Xtep sponsored a total of nine marathons organized in Mainland China, and Taiwan; and in the first half of this year, the Company has sponsored five major international marathons. Xtep has further implemented its brand building strategy by participating in the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon.

The sponsorship of this premier marathon in Hong Kong symbolizes the recognition of the performance of our running products by runners from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. We believe the sponsorship will further spread Xtep's “Love Running, Love Xtep” brand spirit, strengthen our leading position in the fashion sportswear industry, and lead Xtep into the international sports arena.

Xtep International Holdings Limited