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Chan Kin-wa

More than 100 roving medical teams will be out in force at Sunday’s Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, after a coroner criticised organisers over the death of a runner in 2015.
Organising committee chairman William Ko Wai-lam said they had strengthened the medical services for this year’s event hoping to attend to runners’ needs as quickly as possible.
“There will be over 100 roving medical teams along the routes to provide rapid access to the runners and the total number of medical staff on duty will reach 900,” Ko said. “In fact, there will be one roving team every 400 to 500 metres on patrol.
“We’ll also deploy 15 ambulances, with five motorcycle and 11 bicycle paramedics along the route.”
Hong Kong Marathon chiefs apologise as ‘slowcoaches’ complain about cut-off times for elite group
There were 10 ambulances and four motorcycle paramedics along the route for the 2018 event.
Four runners have died in the Hong Kong Marathon over the past decade. Last month, a coroner slammed organisers for not warning runners enough about the health risks involved at the first-ever inquest into a fatality at the annual showpiece.
In 2015, Ng Cheuk-yue, 24, died in hospital hours after collapsing just 100 metres from the finish line of his 10km race.
The coroner ruled Ng died of natural causes, but he also took aim at ambulances services and first aid providers, urging them to review their protocols.
Health checks are a must for runners
Ko said they would set up 44 first aids stations, two more than last year, while 200 automated external defibrillators will also be in use.
The defibrillators have proved effective in critical moments during distance running events, especially approaching the finish when many runners exert even more stress and strain on their bodies.

“It’s the responsibility of organisers to provide medical aids but the participants also need to take care of their own conditions,” said Amateur Athletic Association vice-chairman Simon Yeung Sai-mo. “Runners must always listen to their bodies and if they feel unwell during the race, they have to stop and ask for help.”
Last year, a 50-year-old man, surnamed Lee, died in hospital three days after losing consciousness during his 10km race.
A 52-year-old women died in 2017 when she collapsed approaching the finish of her 10km event.
In 2012, a 26-year-old man died moments after completing the half-marathon.
The annual showpiece boasts a maximum 74,000 runners in three categories – the 10k, half-marathon and full marathon. The first 10k race will begin on Hong Kong Island at 5.45am, while the marathon will start in Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui at 6.10am.


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Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon

Hong Kong Marathon: 100 roving medical teams bolster response effort after recent deaths

Paramedics attend to a runner who collapsed at the finish line of last year’s Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. Photo: Mark Agnew

Runners run through the Island Eastern Corridor during the 10km Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. 21JAN18 SCMP / Felix Wong

Participants are treated at the finish line of the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay. 21JAN18 SCMP / Nora Tam

Hong Kong Marathon chiefs apologise as ‘slowcoaches’ complain about cut-off times for elite group

More than 70,000 runners will compete in this weekend’s Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. Photos: SCMP

Men's 10km winner Chan Ka-ho (centre), 1st runner-up Wong Tsz-to (left) and 2nd runner-up Shuen Chun-kit (right) pose with their trophies at 2017 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon at the Victoria Park in Causeway Bay. 12FEB17 SCMP/ Nora Tam

James Ma Wai-hung from the Hong Kong Police Force, joins the press conference at the Regal Hong Kong Hotel in Causeway Bay on the 2019 Standard Marathon. 11FEB19 SCMP / Jonathan Wong

Runner dies three days after collapsing during Hong Kong Marathon’s 10km race

Competitors run along the Island Eastern Corridor during the 10km Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. Photo: Felix Wong

Sport

Hong Kong

Total number of medical staff on duty will reach 900 with 74,000 runners entered
Four runners have died in the showpiece event in the past decade


Total number of medical staff on duty will reach 900 as organisers look to improve safety after four deaths in the past decade


Hong Kong Marathon: 100 roving medical teams bolster response effort after recent deaths

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Total number of medical staff on duty will reach 900 with 74,000 runners entered Four runners have died in the showpiece event in the past decade

Total number of medical staff on duty will reach 900 with 74,000 runners entered

Four runners have died in the showpiece event in the past decade