Hong Kong Streetathon organiser investigates complaints participants ran extra 9km
Wrong directions from volunteers led runners to do an extra 9km for half-marathon, social media user says
The organiser of the Kerry Hong Kong Streetathon 2024 is investigating whether volunteers gave runners the wrong directions after a social media user complained they did an extra 9km (5.6 miles) for the half-marathon on Sunday.
In a social media post, the runner claimed staff had blocked a sign indicating those running the half-marathon for the annual race should turn back, while those running the full race were supposed to carry on.
According to the post, another half-marathon participant tried to ask volunteers whether they should continue along the route but was allegedly ignored. The user also questioned whether the staff had been properly briefed before the event.
The writer of the post said the first group of half-marathon participants ended up running 30km – 9km more than the standard distance.
Andes Leung Pak-hang, the CEO and co-founder of race organiser RunOurCity Foundation, said instructions along the track were properly placed, but there was a chance on-site staff gave wrong instructions.
“Although it is only a sporadic case, we are very concerned about the incident. If human error is involved, we will work hard to improve staff training,” he said.
