The 2025 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, held on February 9, brought together thousands of participants, including prominent celebrities, reinforcing the event's status as the premier marathon of the region.
Among the noteworthy participants was actor Chow Yun-fat (周潤發), who ran the half marathon with aspirations of achieving his goal time of 2 hours 15 minutes. Unfortunately, he completed the race at 2 hours 24 minutes and 33 seconds. Despite not meeting his target, Chow expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating, "I am satisfied with my performance this year, even if I didn't reach my goal," highlighting the event's community spirit instead.
Chow Yun-fat arrived at the Tsim Sha Tsui starting point wearing warm attire due to the cold weather, which contrasted sharply with his attire from previous years. He shared the challenges of competing amid throngs of runners, noting, "There were many people, and it wasn't easy to push forward." This year’s marathon saw increased attendance, transforming the streets of Hong Kong with excitement and energy.
An equally impressive performance came from 梁釗峰 (Leung Chiu Fung), who celebrated achieving his personal best time of 48 minutes and 22 seconds. Reflecting on his preparation, 梁 commented, "Running more hills has definitely helped my stamina," showcasing how rigorous training paid off. One of his wishes is to one day run alongside Chow Yun-fat, as he expressed, "I just want to run with Chow Yun-fat one day," demonstrating his admiration.
Other celebrity participants also had their moments to shine. 梁諾妍 (Leung Nuo Yen) completed her half marathon with great enthusiasm, clocking in at 1 hour 58 minutes and 9 seconds, surpassing her initial expectations. She humorously recalled her previous year's experience running eight months pregnant and lightened the mood by stating, "Last year was easier because I had to take it slow to accommodate my pregnancy. This year I could push myself more."
唐詩詠 (Tong Si Yong), who ran the 10-kilometer event, attributed her improved performance to consistent training and preparation. "I had to run at my pace and focus on enjoying the experience," she mentioned, giving insight on her personal running strategy. The camaraderie among athletes was palpable, with many sharing their training anecdotes and motivations to participate.
The atmosphere on race day was electric, as both spectators and participants came together to celebrate health and fitness. The cold weather did not deter the enthusiasm of the runners but rather created ideal running conditions compared to previous years of hot and humid weather, which some found challenging. 而跑者陈山聰与胡諾言 also noted how the cool temperature allowed for comfortable running, stating, "This temperature is great for everyone, making it easier to run our best."
Despite individual challenges and goals not being reached for many, the sense of community and mutual support distinguished the event. At the heart of the marathon is the opportunity to inspire others and promote wellness among participants, with many runners voicing their intentions to return for future races.
The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon continues to impact Hong Kong's sports culture significantly, and with interest growing annually, it offers participants from all walks of life the chance to engage. Whether breaking personal records or enjoying the thrill of the race, participants left the marathon with lasting memories and greater motivation to run again.