'Education' preferred to asking runners for race fitness history
Organisers of next year's Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon have scrapped a proposal to ensure runners are fit enough to endure the 42km race.
The Hong Kong Medical Association has criticised the decision to ditch proposed entry rules requiring runners to supply details of previous experience, including participation in similar marathons. It said the dangers of jumping into the race without proper conditioning should be stressed to runners. One participant died in this year's race.
Kwok Ka-ki, legislator for the medical sector, said application forms critically failed to ask whether an applicant suffered from chronic heart or respiratory illnesses. Veteran doctor Lo Wing-lok said organisers should warn people with these problems to check with their doctor before running. The application form failed to remind people of the risks of running a marathon, he said.
But William Ko Wai-lim, chairman of race organiser the Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association, said the form was an inappropriate place for such advice, and that the association favoured education. 'We didn't think it was necessary. Everyone knows people should normally progress from shorter distances before doing the full marathon. We have all the records for all previous years, we can check them anytime. Asking people to declare this experience doesn't mean anything.'
The 24-page form includes two sentences under a heading 'important notice', advising runners in general terms to undertake adequate training for the race and consult a doctor if in doubt about their health.