The 2025 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon held on February 9 yielded remarkable results and unexpected turns, showcasing athletic prowess and event organization challenges. This annual race saw both international competitors and local favorites make headlines.
Beginning with the men’s half-marathon, He Yingbing from mainland China crossed the finish line first with an impressive time of one hour, five minutes, and 36 seconds. Sun Xiaoyang followed closely, securing second place within the 13.1-mile race at 1:06:11. Yet, the celebrations quickly turned sour for these runners after race officials announced their disqualification later the same day due to "technical problems". This decision startled spectators and participants alike, resulting in Hong Kong's Vincent Lam being promoted to first place, finishing at 1:07:38. Wong Kwun-hang and Wong Kai-lok rounded out the podium, finishing second and third respectively at 1:07:59 and 1:10:10.
The eyebrow-raising disqualification was supposed to be clarified at a press briefing, intensifying the media focus on the aftermath of the race. Vincent Lam, reflecting on the turn of events, remarked on the unexpected nature of such disqualifications overshadowing his achievement.
Meanwhile, Christy Yiu Kit-ching emerged victorious among the women’s half-marathon competitors, clocking out at 1:15:09. Wong Cheuk-ning and Crystal Vut Tsz-ying followed with times of 1:19:58 and 1:20:08, respectively. The triumph marked another successful showing for Hong Kong’s female runners.
Over at the 10km race, the finish was fiercely contested, with 19-year-old Liu Aiyan claiming victory at 30:16, edging out his friend Lan Jiehuai, who finished at 30:17. The podium was completed by local triathlete Wong Tsz-to, finishing at 30:43. Liu Aiyan attributed his success to the ideal cool temperatures before the race, stating, "The cool temperature before the start was ideal for achieving a strong time." He relished the challenge posed by the course’s climbs and descents during the 10km.
Turning to the marathon, disaster struck for officials trying to keep up with the results as questions arose about the placements of several key runners. Bethwell Kipkemboi from Kenya captured the marathon title, completing the race at Victoria Park with a time of 2:11:13—leading not just the men's field but contributing to Kenya’s sweep of the top three positions. Kipkemboi was followed closely by compatriot Kennedy Kipyeko at 2:11:35 and Vincent Kiprono at 2:11:49. Notably, confusion erupted after initial results indicated Kiprono had secured third place. Later revisions placed Anderson Serio as third with 2:11:40, pushing Kiprono down the rankings; this last-minute shake-up left many viewers and runners baffled.
The unexpected developments raised the questions of race legitimacy. Chow Yun-fat, the renowned Hong Kong star who participated, aimed to improve his previous half-marathon time of 2:19:00 from last year. He expressed, "I fell short by four minutes last time," during the race and adopted strategies to pace himself correctly, acknowledging the punishing nature of the West Tunnel section, stating, "The section through the West Tunnel was particularly challenging, but overall it was manageable."
This year’s marathon marked increased interest among local participants, as Hong Kong runners found themselves unintentionally benefitting from the disqualification of their competitors. The entire event saw local runners occupy all three podium spots for the men’s half-marathon, leading to considerable enthusiasm within the running community.
Despite the set-backs and controversies, the enthusiasm for marathon running continues to grow across the region. The Hong Kong marathon has become not just a competitive event but also a community celebration of health and fitness, attracting both local and international runners.
The marathon, with its cooler weather compared to previous years, seems to spur higher performances from competitors, highlighting the potential for growth and increased participation moving forward. Participants, audience members, and sponsors alike will await the official follow-up on the disqualification explanations.