Hong Kong Marathon increases quota to 37,000 runners as city’s ‘path to normality’ continues
- Annual showpiece returns in February for 25th edition, with numbers slowly returning to pre-pandemic levels
- Organisers were pushing to increase entries to 50,000, with focus on restoring race’s international appeal
The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon will increase the total enrolments for next year’s race to 37,000 runners as the city’s annual showpiece slowly returns to pre-pandemic levels.
In October, organisers announced the February 12 race would go ahead with a “tentative” 25,000 quota, up from last year’s total of 18,500. That number has now increased and plans for a broader, international line-up of runners are on track.
Kwan Kee, chairman of the Hong Kong Association of Athletics Affiliates (HKAAA) told the Post the increase was “very much welcomed” as the city “gradually” returns to a normal state.
“Of course, we are happy with the quota expansion,” Kwan said. “We hope this can help maintain the Hong Kong Marathon’s image as the best race in the region.”
Kwan said they had been pushing to expand the number of runners to 50,000, but were happy to settle for 37,000.
“Considering there is a second marathon on the cards for October 29, we hope to achieve the 50,000 mark then, or even 74,000 like it was before Covid-19,” he said.
