Hong Kong Marathon: high humidity could affect 74,000 runners at Sunday showpiece, experts warn

Experts have warned that high humidity will affect the runners at the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon as the annual distance running showpiece takes to the streets on Sunday morning.

Hong Kong Observatory forecast says the maximum humidity on event day could go as high as 95 per cent while the maximum temperature could be 21 degrees Celsius.

“The main worry is the high humidity,” he said. “Coupled with a relatively warm temperature, there may be difficulties in heat dissipation for the runners, and a possibility of higher energy demand, which may result in fatigue, muscle cramp, syncope or even heatstroke.”

The doctor said the participants should wear sports gear that allows good ventilation for heat evaporation and replace fluids regularly during the race because extra energy will be required in the humid conditions.

“They should always pay attention to their physical condition. If it gets worse during the race, they better stop and rest,” said the expert.

Raymond So Chi-hung, director of elite training science and technology at the Hong Kong Sports Institute, said the weather will not provide good conditions for distance running.

“The runners should acknowledge this and adjust the pace they have planned,” So said. “Moreover, they should drink plenty of water before and during the race. But the most important thing is they must listen to their body. If they feel unusual or uncomfortable during the race, they need to slow down or even stop.”

Elite runners may also find it tough in the anticipated weather conditions.

Ngai Kang, the best local finisher in the marathon over the last two years, said high humidity will result in more sweating and a higher demand for energy.

“It will be more challenging to achieve a good result if both the humidity and temperature is high,” he said. “It may have some bad effects but we are not afraid of it and will go all out for a good race.”

The ideal temperature for long-distance running is between 14 and 17 degrees Celsius, according to organising committee chairman William Ko Wai-lam, who also warned the high humidity would affect the runners and asked them to take care.

The warmer temperature is expected to improve the participation rate, though, as participants will be more willing to show up at midnight for the event. In the last two years, more than 10 per cent of participants did not show up out of the expected 74,000 entries. The no-show figure for 2017 was 10,199 and 10,696 for last year.

The 2019 Hong Kong Marathon will start on Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui for both the marathon and half-marathon while the 10-kilometre run will again take place along the Island Eastern Corridor with the start located near City Garden.

The finish line for all races will remain at Victoria Park. The 10km-run and the half-marathon will get underway at 5.45am while the marathon challenge begins at 6.10am.