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Hong Kong Marathon 2015
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Participants pack the Island Eastern Corridor during yesterday's race. There were 73,000 entrants. Photo: Felix Wong

Hong Kong Marathon full to bursting, even if new Wan Chai route is approved

Entries will remain capped at 73,000, even if the change is approved

Organisers of the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon will push for all of Hennessy Road to be opened for next year's event, but the ceiling of 73,000 entries is unlikely to be raised.

Runners yesterday spoke overwhelmingly in favour of the slight change to this year's finish, a more spectator-friendly route along Hennessy Road and Yee Wo Street in Causeway Bay.

"More than 84 per cent of the runners said the new finish is better than before," said William Ko Wai-lam, chairman of the organising committee, after polling participants in Victoria Park. "The road is wider with more fresh air and there are also more fans who can come out."

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Meanwhile, two runners, aged 24 and 49, were in critical condition last night at Eastern Hospital and Yan Chai Hospital. One fainted and suffered a head injury in Causeway Bay, while the other fell sick as he was making it across Tsing Ma Bridge. Organisers said 40 runners had to be hospitalised, up from 30 last year.

Ko said they would study the possibility of expanding the Hennessy Road route from Admiralty to Causeway Bay.

"Hennessy Road goes through the heart of Wan Chai and more supporters will be able to enjoy the race if we can use this route," he said. "But this is a quite a big change and we have to seek the support of police and district councils.

"On one hand, we are working for the interests of the runners, but we also have to balance the interests of other road users."

Regardless, Ko said the number of entries was unlikely to increase. "We cannot accommodate more entries because the West Kowloon Highway is already congested when runners return from the Tsing Kwai highway," he said.

"I don't think we can expand the maximum quota any more under the current routings and traffic arrangements."

Ko also said it would be difficult to keep this year's earlier date in the next two years. In 2016, the Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo in Victoria Park will clash with the date runners' packs are distributed, while in 2017 the park will be occupied by the Lunar New Year flower market, preventing the race finishing there.

Kwan Kee, chairman of the Hong Kong Amateur Athletics Association, admitted: "We have no idea where the finishing point will be if we lose Victoria Park."

Watch: 70,000 join Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, with yellow umbrellas in sight

Occupy yellow and superhero costumes on display at Hong Kong marathon

The traditional green and blue colours of the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon took on a yellow twist yesterday as some runners used it to make their views known on universal suffrage.

Runners in yellow outfits, or some with yellow stickers saying "I want genuine universal suffrage" on their vests, "occupied" the city's streets yesterday, bringing flashbacks of the Occupy movement that shook Hong Kong for 79 days.

Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and Police Commissioner Andy Tsang Wai-hung were booed by some runners when they officiated at the start of the marathon.

Some runners waved yellow umbrellas or yellow cards at the starting line, and one balloon was released into the air with a message calling for genuine universal suffrage.

"Let's enjoy this big event everyone, okay?" Tsang told reporters as he left the ceremony.

"Running the marathon is not as difficult as fighting for genuine universal suffrage. But Hong Kong people are not frustrated," a man said after completing the half marathon.

University of Hong Kong vice-chancellor Peter Mathieson took part in the 1.8km Leaders Cup for the first time.

"I didn't look at the time, but I was not very quick. It's taking part rather than winning that matters to me," he said. "I walk a lot and I have a very energetic dog who needs lots of exercise … but I am not really a runner."

Superman and Batman were also spotted at the marathon.

"I hope I have the strength of Superman wearing this outfit. It's very hot wearing it but I have got used to it," said 26-year-old Andy Chung after finishing the half marathon.

Ben Swee, 38, who flew in from Singapore to take part in the marathon, said he wore a Batman costume to inspire people to join the "fun" event.

And of course, a marathon is not complete without marriage proposals at the finishing line.

"I hope I can be with you and run a life-long marathon together," a man said to his girlfriend as he popped the question. She happily said yes.

The race faced the threat of rain early in the morning with the Observatory reporting a humid easterly airstream over southern China. However, the early morning drizzle had mostly cleared up by the start of the first race.

Meanwhile, a new air quality monitoring system set up for the marathon by the Environmental Protection Department and four Hong Kong universities measured the overall health risk as "moderate" - a 4 to 5 on the 11-tier Air Quality Health Index.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: New route proposed for 2016 race
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