Hong Kong Marathon: organisers hail success of event, eye 74,000 runners for November race
- City welcomes return of flagship event, with Chief Executive John Lee and international film star Chow Yun-fat involved
- Kenyan Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba wins men’s race, with Ethiopia’s Fantu Eticha Jimma the fastest woman
Hong Kong welcomed the return of its flagship marathon on Sunday, with the city’s leader, celebrities such as international film star Chow Yun-fat and nearly 35,000 runners taking to the streets in a sign the emergence from strict Covid-19 restrictions is starting to gather pace.
With the return of overseas runners for the first time since 2019, Kenya’s Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba won the men’s race in a time of 2 hours, 10 minutes and 48 seconds on a day when light rain and high humidity made fast times difficult.
Still, Ethiopia’s Fantu Eticha Jimma took the women’s race in 2:27:50, almost three minutes faster than her time in 2018, when she finished third.
There was plenty of drama too, with the city’s marathon record holder Gi Ka-man leaving it late to overhaul great rival Wong Wan-chun, who led for more than 18 of the 26.2 miles, to be the first local finisher.
Local couple Eric Wong Kai-lok and Virginia Lo Ying-chiu meanwhile gave themselves a Valentine’s Day weekend to remember, winning their respective 10k races.
Afterwards, organisers hailed the success of the Standard Chartered-backed event and said they wanted twice as many to take part in a second race in November, part of a packed sporting calendar this year that includes the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens next month and three top-flight golf tournaments.
“Despite the unfavourable weather, the event has been very smooth, giving us the confidence as we are planning for another Hong Kong Marathon later this year,” Kwan Kee, chairman of the Hong Kong Association of Athletics Affiliates, said.
