February 13, 2023
HONG KONG – About 37,000 runners competed in Hong Kong’s iconic marathon event on Sunday, with African athletes dominating the podium.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu presided over the start of the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2023 in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said that Hong Kong will gradually host a series of sports competitions and international events this year
Lee said that Hong Kong will gradually host a series of sports competitions and international events this year. He also pledged to lead the special administrative region forward in promoting livelihood, economic and social activities to make the SAR better than ever before.
Kenyan runner Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba was the winner of the full marathon from Nathan Road in TST to Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, early Sunday morning, clocking 2 hours, 10 minutes, and 48 seconds, followed by two runners from Ethiopia.
Three Ethiopians swept the podium of the women’s marathon as Fantu Eticha Jimma won in 2:27:50.
A runner with the surname of Wong won the championship in the male half-marathon race, which kicked off at Eastern District Corridor, with a time of 1 hour, 9 minutes, 50 seconds.
A lady surnamed Lo finished first in the female half-marathon category with 1 hour, 20 minutes, and 23 seconds.
Hong Kong well-known movie start Chow Yun-fat participated in the 10km race for this event.
The race represents the first ‘M’ Mark event to be staged in Hong Kong following the recent easing of anti-pandemic restrictions, according to a statement from organizers.
Participants of the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2023 make their way down Nathan Road on Feb 12, 2023. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)
“Alongside the participation of local runners, international elite athletes are also invited to join the 25th edition of the race, representing a welcome return to normalcy with the community,” the statement reads.
Runners were no longer required to take polymerase chain reaction tests for COVID-19 but were told to wear a mask upon arriving at the starting line and immediately after completing the race.