Boosting prize money 'key to raising marathon's profile'
A significant increase in prize purse is needed to upgrade local marathon to gold label and draw world's top runners, says HKAAA chief
A significant boost in prize money is the key to raising the profile of tomorrow's Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon and placing it among the world's elite, says a top official.
As nearly 40 invited runners from 22 countries arrived to chase total prize money of US$258,400 in the showpiece event, Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association chairman Kwan Kee says they have more to achieve than just being one of the top races in Asia.
We must increase our purse if we are to attract the world's top runners," Kwan said yesterday. We are one of the top races in Asia, but we have to now look at the international stage
We must increase our purse if we are to attract the world's top runners. We are one of the top races in Asia, but we have to now look at the international stage
In a major boost, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has upgraded Hong Kong from a bronze label road race to a silver, recognising the better calibre of athletes the event is attracting.
"We must now aim for gold label, but to do that we have to significantly raise our prize money," said Kwan. "We have grown from a local sporting event into a large international race. Today, both the IAAF and the government's M-Mark scheme recognises us. But we have more to achieve."
The total prize money - US$57,000 is awarded to winners in the men's and women's races - is a marginal increase from last year. But it still pales in comparison with famous marathons, including London and Berlin, which both offer US$1 million, Boston (US$800,000) and Chicago (US$500,000). Closer to home, the Seoul Marathon next month has a total purse of US$500,000, with the men's and women's winners each receiving US$80,000.