It proves that if there is a will, things can get done. In this instance, we believe the will came from sponsor Rotary, which apparently has plenty of clout with the government. Perhaps the Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association should take some tips from the international organisation.

It is believed the HKAAA was not initially keen on the idea of the Ultramarathon as it was a last-minute request. And it is understood the original idea was to run 100km, but the local governing body, aghast at the logistical implications of the distance, quickly cut that to a more manageable 50km.

The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon is inching its way towards becoming a course over the city streets. Gradually, due to concerted pressure from runners, organisers are now using more roads in the closing stages in Wan Chai and Causeway Bay, encouraging more public interaction.

But at the end of the day, if the Hong Kong Marathon is to truly become a race like London or Boston, then it must become like the Ultramarathon, where all 42.2km are run through the streets and past our famous landmarks.

There is only one way to get that done. The roads on Hong Kong Island must be closed for one Sunday of the year. People must leave their cars at home. Public transport will be hindered for a few hours. Everyone must make a sacrifice. Organisers must also start the race later in the day if they are to get the people out on the streets cheering on the runners. No one is going to get up at 6am to come out and watch.

The Ultramarathon began at a more civilised hour of 7.30am. Although the race was open for 1,000 entries, only around one-third - 300 runners - took part. The rest competed in the relays.

The race received the thumbs up from participants, with the majority saying they didn't find it repetitive or boring. This was in response to criticism from leading distance runners in the run-up to the race, among them Hong Kong-based Kenyan Thomas Kiprotich. The record-holder in the Hong Kong Half Marathon said it would be "boring" and he would have liked each lap to be longer, perhaps 3km or 4km.

His candid view didn't go down well in some circles. Kiprotich was invited by the organisers to come and say something positive on the eve of the race, but when asked if he had changed his mind and would take part, the affable Kiprotich smiled and said "no way".

The fact that none of the leading runners entered the race also says a lot. Was it because this race was slotted in at the last minute and they didn't want to upset their training schedules, or that they held the same view as Kiprotich?

Let's hasten to add that we are not critical of this event. In fact, more events that are held in Hong Kong, especially through the streets, the better.

There are plans to increase the distance next year to 60km. Let's hope they can also increase each lap to at least 4km. If they can double the lap distance, it would be a big improvement. There are also plans to invite overseas runners next year. That will be good as they would give a true assessment of the race.

If not for an underpass, Lung Wo Road in Central seems to be an ideal venue to hold events like this. The Formula E electric car series looked at this same stretch of road to host the Hong Kong leg of the world series. Unfortunately, these plans had to be shelved because of last-minute obstacles where organiser the FIA (international motor racing's world governing body) and the government couldn't see eye-to-eye on a few areas.

Hopefully, that will be sorted out. The road has now been baptised by the Hong Kong Ultramarathon. We only wish it was longer.