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SCMP Reporters

This story has been made freely available as a community service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing.
The Standard Chartered Hong Kong marathon returned to the city's streets on Sunday, the first mass-participation sporting event in more than a year.
With the coronavirus pandemic bringing the world largely to a standstill, no overseas athletes were invited to take part, and local pair Wong Kai-lok and Christy Yiu took full advantage, winning the men's and women's races respectively.
In the men's half-marathon, Chan Ka-Ho narrowly claimed first place, with Vut Tsz-ying a more convincing winner in the women's event. There were victories in the 10k for Wong Tsz-to (men) and Lo Ying-chiu (women). Follow us here for live coverage of this morning's event.
Reporting by Nick Atkin, Patrick Blennerhassett, Andrew McNicol and Jonathan White.


Hong Kong Marathon: Wong Kai-lok and Christy Yiu triumph as race returns for first time since 2019 - as it happened 

Wong Kai-lok wins the 2021 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. Photo: Nora Tam

Hong Kong Marathon prize fund slashed, with no invited overseas runners at Covid-19 delayed event

Hong Kong Marathon runners to bear full responsibility if they break National Security Law at annual showpiece

Sport

Hong Kong

Christy Yiu wins the women's half marathon at the 2019 showpiece. She will lead a strong local contingent for the delayed 2021 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon in this month. Photo: Nora Tam

===PHOTO CAPTURED ONLINE=== Official website of the Hong Kong Marathon shows the 2021 event has been postponed. Photo: Handout

--ONLINE-- Flanked by first runner-up Eunice Chebichi Chumba (left) and second runner-up Jemila Wortesa, Volha Mazuronak (C) of Belarus wins the women's Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. 17FEB19 SCMP / Edmond So

Ngai Kang finished first among Hong Kong runners at the 2018 Hong Kong Marathon. 21JAN18 SCMP / Chan Kin-wa

The 2021 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon will be the first mass participatory sports events since coronavirus hit Hong Kong last year. Runners are pictured at the start in Tsim Sha Tsui’s Nathan Road ahead of the 2019 event. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor (centre) officiate at the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon commencing from Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. 17FEB19 SCMP / Dickson Lee

--ONLINE-- Flanked by Ethiopians Dawit Wolde (left) and Tsegaye Getachew, Kenya's Barnabus Kiptum (C) celebrates after breaking the course record for the men's Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, at Victoria Park. 17FEB19 SCMP / Edmond So


Men's marathon was won by Wong Kai-lok, with Christy Yiu taking first place in the women's race
Some competitors say they were stopped from running because of logos, slogans on their clothing



Men's marathon was won by Wong Kai-lok, with Christy Yiu taking first place in the women's race. Some competitors say they were stopped from running because of logos, slogans on their clothing.


Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon

Live

Good morning and welcome to live coverage of the return of the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. It’s been a while -- the last edition was held in February 2019. We missed out on the race last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2019, Kenya’s Barnabas Kiptum set a new course record in a time of two hours, 26 minutes and three seconds. Sadly, he won’t get the opportunity to lower that bar again; it’s a strictly local field this year, again, due to Covid-19. But the conditions are close to perfect out there and the best distance runners the city has to offer are set up for a competitive run.


The welcome return of the Hong Kong Marathon


The marathon is the main event today, of course, but there’s also a half-marathon and a 10-kilometre “dash” being contested.
In fact, the 10k early birds, who got underway at 5.45am this morning, are finishing already.
We have a winner -- Wong Tsz-to got home in a rapid 31:27. He was followed over the line by Hong Kong Olympian Oscar Coggins, who finished second in 31:38. Third was Kit Ip Nga in 31:40.
Congratulations to all three -- the first three home in the overall. Details of more winners shortly.


10k over in a blink

Hong Kong’s leading distance runner Christy Yiu Kit-ching is looking for a first marathon win on home soil, and she’ll likely never have a better chance to secure that. We spoke to her earlier this week.
Christy Yiu Kit-ching eyeing first win in front of home fans


Christy Yiu’s big chance

In the junior section, Yip Tak-long led the field in 32:39, second was Vincent Chan Chun-wing in 33:09 and third was Tse Ho-yin with a time of 35:37.
A first shot of the overall 10k winners from our man Jonathan White.



More on 10k winners

The first three runners have finished in the women’s 10k event. Lo Ying-chiu finished a full minute out in front of Choi Yan-yin in a time of 36:30. Third was teenager Cade Wright with a run of 37:48.



Women’s 10k results

Plenty of amateur runners are out on the city’s streets this morning, and our photographers are there too capturing all the action.





Enjoying the moment

The first batch of marathon runners made off before first light this morning.
 
6am - Hong Kong Standard Chartered a marathon 2021 full marathon 1st batches of runner started. pic.twitter.com/46VpGuW70d
  — Yuen lok man (@Yuenlokman_) October 23, 2021


First runners off in the dark

Jonathan White is at the finish line in Victoria Park seemingly touched by the pleasant atmosphere among the city’s running fraternity.
It's a convivial atmosphere among the runners. Lots of high fives and hugs at the finish here as it's essentially a day out for Hong Kong’s running community given the lack of foreign friends invited this year.


Nice atmosphere at the finish line

Women’s half-marathon elite competitor Pennie Poon Man-ngan.
 


Solo runner

In fact, all three races finish in Victoria Park. Here are the routes for each contest.




The route

The Post has photographers along the route today and a steady stream of images capturing the anticipation of the big race.




​​​​​​​


Images of race day

Post columnist Cliff Buddle had his say on the welcome return of the Hong Kong Marathon. He’s out there somewhere among the runners this morning.
The return of this iconic sporting event is welcome, marking another step in the city’s recovery.


Marathon uplifts the city

Tokyo 2020 Olympian Oscar Coggins had a word with Jonathan White.
He said it was nice to get back to competition but the start of the 10km -- running through the western harbour tunnel -- was tough. It didn't stop him finishing second.



Coggins glad to be back

It is, as they say, lovely weather for it. Almost as if they planned it and considering the troubles they have had planning it during the pandemic, that is one in the win column for the Hong Kong Marathon.
Jonathan White


Glorious running conditions

Jonathan White sure is full of the joys of autumn at Victoria Park this morning. 
There is the first win of the morning — Wong Tsz-to crossing the 10km finish. The first of many winners today because let’s face it, they are all winners. Lots of folk coming down to Victoria park to greet friends who've finished their runs as they leave. It's like the airport bit at the end of Love Actually, actually.



A day of winners

The half-marathon race is the next to finish, with Chan Ka-Ho just winning the men’s race in a time of 1hr 8mins 55sec. Gi Ka-man was second in exactly the same time, with Leung Tak-yeung third in 1:10.26.

In the women’s race, Vut Tsz-ying won in a time of 1:20.41, ahead of Ellinor Sallander (1:26.01) and Ella Au Wing-ning (1:26.44).



Half-marathon winners cross line

Marathon running is, of course, a pretty extreme sport. Luckily the conditions have been kind today. I cannot imagine the pain of trying to complete this marathon in the searing heat we were seeing just a couple of weeks ago.
Marathons are not for everyone. As Olympic sprinter John Drummond was quick to remind anyone who would listen on the streets of Beijing in 2008 “the first guy who ran a marathon died”.
Jonathan White



The perils of marathon running

Peter Hopper, 62, and Janine Canham, 57, of the Gone Runners crew just finished the half-marathon. Hopper tells Patrick Blennerhassett he’d like to see more age categories for older runners. “Right now it’s 45 to death for age, so we’d like to see them break that up a little bit as that’s a lot of runners to lump together.”



New race categories?

The women’s 10km overall winners are receiving their medals. National middle-distance runner Virginia Lo Ying-chiu (centre), along with national triathletes Hilda Choi Yan-yin (left) and Cade Cameron Wright. Choi was slightly slower than her 2018 Hong Kong Marathon 10km time, when she won in 37:15.



Women’s 10k winners crowned

(From left to right) Bella Ng, Annie Tsui and Vicky Kwan all achieved personal best times in the half-marathon.
"It was such good weather, perfect for this race, and we’re all happy with our times," Tsui said.



Personal bests aplenty

City University fans cheer on all passing runners in the final stretch on Yee Wo Street, saving their biggest cheers of motivation for their own young university delegates.



Student support

Hong Kong representative triathlete Wong Tsz-to (right) celebrates with his teammates after winning the 10k overall and elite senior races.



Wong wins

There were, of course, concerns that some runners could fall foul of the National Security Law at this year’s marathon and organisers initially said they would bear no responsibility for participants who get into trouble for, say, wearing running gear featuring political slogans.
This riled government officials who pressured race organisers to take a firmer stance on the matter a day later.
Participants would have been forgiven for fearing a foreboding atmosphere around the race, especially in Victoria Park where there was expected to be a bigger police presence than usual.
Well, it’s been uneventful (thankfully) so far, but Patrick Blennerhasset has noted the increased police presence.
There is a notable police presence all around Victoria Park. Usually three officers at every exit point. This is a far cry from 2019 when I can't remember seeing one police officer.



No trouble so far

As expected, Christy Yiu is leading the women’s field in the marathon. Just over halfway done by my reckoning. Yiu emerged from the gruelling West Harbour Tunnel section of the race out on her own in front. She’d be strong favourite to go on and claim the honours from here.



Christy Yiu out in front

Hong Kong long-distance runner and Asian Games representative Crystal Vut Tsz-ying (centre) celebrates her victory in the women’s half marathon, alongside second-placed Ellinor Sallander (right) of Sweden, and third-placed Ella Au Wing-ning (left).
Vut finished in 1:20:41, a minute and 33 seconds off her personal best, which she set in Gdynia, Poland in October 2020 at the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships.



Off her best, but good enough

With the 10k and half-marathon over, the waiting begins to see who will win the full race. In Victoria Park a sea of bags sits just behind the finish line. 



And now we wait

Wong Kai-lok has claimed the men’s marathon in a time of 2:31:10. He edged out Japan’s Masashi Shirotake by just four seconds, ensuring a home win for Hong Kong.



Wong just claims men’s title

Christy Yiu Kit-ching has taken the title in the women’s marathon



Yiu wins women’s race

Wong Kai-lok is a middle-distance specialist, and admits he was surprised at winning his first marathon.
  “It got harder at the 35k mark. The last 2k were the most difficult at the Western Harbour Tunnel,” he told reporters in a media scrum.



Win at the first attempt

“I hope this result can show my students and people around me that you should always continue to set targets for yourself,” Wong Kai-lok said. The men’s marathon winner also talked about how difficult it is to sustain being an elite athlete.
“I teach my class, and I have no time to rest myself because I still have to coach, but that’s what you have to do if you want to continue your career.”


Wong hopes to inspire students

Marathon runners gather at the finish line in Victoria Park to celebrate beating the 3 hour mark.



Celebrating your triumphs

Just because the elite runners have finished, that doesn’t mean this race is over. There are plenty of people still out on the course.



Race isn’t over yet

Wong Kai-lok told the media how he plans to spend his Us$15,000 prize money.
“The first thing is to give a bit back to my school (Trailblazer Running), the second is I’ve always been meaning to buy this machine that covers your eyes and helps you rest,” the men’s marathon winner said. “The third is to cover in future all my injuries and medical treatment, like MRIs. I have to look at my legs once a week.”   



Already spending his winnings

Caitriona Jennings of Ireland, who lives and works in Hong Kong, came third in the women’s marathon. Jennings competed at London 2012 and said, "I knew I had to be conservative as I’d been told this was a really hard course. But I felt good, it felt good to race a marathon again."
Jenning’s was profiled in the Post last year.



Jennings glad to be back in action

Hong Kong record holder Christy Yiu Kit-ching told the gathered media of a late change of plan after her marathon win.
“I was originally going to take part in the 10k but I changed my mind and I’m glad I did,” Yiu said. “A lot of people think that I can just do this with my eyes closed, but actually doing a marathon takes a lot of effort.
“After this, I have to rest for two weeks until I can get back to training. And I want to do my first overseas event as soon as possible.”



Onwards and upwards for Yiu

The gruelling Western Harbour Tunnel section is still being negotiated by a swathe of the amateur runners in the field. It doesn’t look like a great deal of fun.
Photos by Xiaomei Chen.








Amateur runners still battling on

Liam Ruhle, 44, posted a time of 2:54. The triathlete, who is originally from Australia, said "there was definitely a different atmosphere this time around”.
“It was my first race in two years but I felt good."



Soaking it all in

Still they come

Hong Kong men’s marathon winner Wong Kai-lok with girlfriend and women’s 10m winner Virginia Lo Ying-chiu. An early night for those two tonight, no doubt. 😴



Double delight

The Post’s photography team has captured some great shots during this year’s event charting the highs and lows of the runners.






📷 A great day for pictures 📷

There is no hanging about this year. Volunteers with loudspeakers are constantly telling runners to keep moving out of the finishing area. Some racers are clearly a bit frustrated with being pestered as they try to decompress from a full marathon.
“Just give me one minute here please I am very tired," one is overheard saying.



No time to rest

A Facebook post claims a woman was barred from competing after authorities objected to her wearing shorts that said “Hong Kong” on them. 
Elsewhere, other outlets have reported other instances of participants being turned away from the start line because of their apparel.
A real pity on an otherwise great day for Hong Kong sport.



Runners barred from competing

Of course, it just wouldn’t be a marathon if there weren’t a load of participants punishing themselves in furry animal costumes, or conversely, running near-naked in the name of fun. Our snappers managed to capture a selection of them.










Array of costumes on display

A local media report says a male runner with a "Hong Kong add oil" tattoo on his leg was asked to cover it with a bandage.
On Saturday, police said they would send the Counter Terrorism Response Unit and Railway Response Team to multiples routes of the marathon to prevent and fight against terrorism. The Railway District and MTR Corporation staff was also expected to carry out a joint operation to search for dangerous goods at potential spots inside the stations.The organisers of the marathon said they would reject any participants who broke the law or rules of the event.
At the finish line however, volunteers say they were given no instructions about stopping people from racing.


Runners told not to add oil

With some runners still to finish, others have been forced to call it a day before getting to the end.
Photos by Winson Wong





A hard morning on the course

Well, that’s it from us for the time being. It’s been nice to have a big sporting event in the city once again, and congratulations to all who took part.
You can relive all the action here, and for reports and reaction from the day’s racing check out our dedicated page for the lastest news on the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon.
