The 2025 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon kicked off early this morning, February 9, with excitement buzzing throughout the city. The event, which features four categories including the full marathon, half marathon, 10km race, and wheelchair race, saw its first group—the half marathon participants—set off at 5:30 AM. The ceremony was officiated by Chief Secretary John Lee and the Commissioner of Police, Siu Chak-yee, who signaled the start with the blast of a horn.
Conditions were favorable for runners, with temperatures around 13.4 degrees Celsius, according to the Hong Kong Observatory, creating ideal running weather just as many were predicting exceptionally cold conditions. The race began along Nathan Road, with both the full and half marathons having their starting points at Tsim Sha Tsui, and the 10km race launching from the Eastern Corridor near Central and Wanchai, all ending at Victoria Park, Causeway Bay.
Following strong community interest, the marathon has attracted about 74,000 runners this year. To accommodate their arrival at the start points, the police implemented traffic restrictions along key routes. The Hong Kong MTR subway system also catered to participants by operating first trains earlier than usual. This was complemented by special bus routes organized by various companies to transport participants directly to Tsim Sha Tsui or Causeway Bay.
The excitement of the event was palpable, with participants donning various costumes to add flair to the occasion. A few individuals even dressed as characters from popular culture, adding enjoyment beyond just the competitive aspect of the race.
For those competing, the half marathon saw its fastest finishers cross the line shortly after the official start. He Ying-bing from mainland China took the lead among men, finishing the race with a time of 1 hour 05 minutes 36 seconds, closely followed by Sun Xiaoyang who secured the second place, with local runner Lam Wing Cheung clinching third. Among women, local contestant Yao Jiezhen dominated, finishing first with 1 hour 15 minutes 9 seconds, followed by Huang Zhuoning and Kuo Zhi-ying.
Meanwhile, the 10km challenge kicked off simultaneously, with competitors racing to complete their runs quickly. Xu Guoge and Liu Aiyan from the mainland finished neck and neck, both clocking 30 minutes 16 seconds, showing impressive performance right from the start. Hong Kong’s triathlete Wong Zi-tou took third place with 30 minutes 43 seconds, emphasizing the competitive spirit present on the ground. On the women’s side, Zeng Xiaotong claimed victory with 35 minutes 16 seconds, outpacing her competitors PEI Qi and Huang Zuchan.
The marathon also featured extensive logistical preparations and significant public transportation modifications. Areas surrounding the oil and seaside portions of Nathan Road were subject to extensive traffic restrictions due to the length of the marathon route, which necessitated adapting public transport services. Starting from 11:15 PM the previous night, around 211 bus routes and 33 mini-bus services were suspended or rerouted to minimize disruption before the event commenced.
For residents and spectators eager to watch the marathon, this required planning and awareness of the changes. The Transport Department urged the public to utilize the MTR swiftly to reduce delays, encouraging the use of subway options for smoother travel.
Prior to the event, athletes were required to pick up their race bibs and items at Kai Tak Sports Park, which occurred through appointments made via the official marathon application. Ensuring participants’ efficient access to their kits highlighted the organization’s commitment to maintaining smooth operations during the event.
Besides the races, the marathon also launched its prize plan, announcing special incentives for local runners competing within specified time limits. The significant prize structure has motivated many athletes, especially local talent, to achieve personal bests and add competitive spirit to the event. The overall ambition is not just to promote health and fitness but to unite the community through sport.
This year’s marathon also set the stage for the upcoming prestigious events, with participants and organizers alike expressing their hope for more successful endeavors similar to what was experienced today. The city's ambiance remains charged with energy and sportsmanship, celebrating not only the endurance of the participants but also the spirit of community and unity within Hong Kong.