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Marathons

Marathons
More than 800 marathons and countless other half marathons take place around the world every year, but only six are classed as world title events - Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York.
Ethiopia’s Addisu Gobena celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the 2026 Sydney Marathon. Photo: AFP

Gobena shatters Sydney Marathon record, Jepchirchir takes women’s title

Addisu Gobena claims first World Marathon Major title, knocking almost 90 seconds off previous best time.

Wellness

At 150kg, he was told he might not live to 30. How teacher lost 66kg and got fit

Trending in China

Chinese athlete sets Guinness World Record – runs marathon for 372 days in a row

Wellness

Why ‘extreme fitness FOMO’ can do more harm than good for people 40 and up

Driven by status and events like Hyrox, many midlife Hongkongers are pushing themselves to the limit. But experts warn of the dangers.

Leslie Evangelista, a personal trainer and the head strength and conditioning coach at Hong Kong Sports Clinic, says that while someone in their 20s can “borrow from tomorrow and get away with it ... a midlife body keeps the receipts”. Photo: May Tse
People take part in Hyrox Hong Kong 2026 at AsiaWorld-Expo on May 8, 2026. Hyrox attracts people of all ages, but jumping into the activity too quickly - especially for those in mid-life - can cause problems. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Wellness

Fit after 50: How Indian influencer couple beat chronic pain with exercise

Tara and Sushila Thapa overcame chronic pain by getting fit in midlife. Now their Instagram page and running group encourage others.

Wellness

He’s 90 and still runs half-marathons. How this retired professor defies age

Meet Yul Kwon, a nonagenarian who maintains his endurance through daily exercise, a Mediterranean diet and a focus on sleep.

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Wellness

How TCM helped a 71-year-old with Parkinson’s run 100 marathons in 100 days

American chiropractor and TCM practitioner Larry Grogin shares how Chinese herbs and acupuncture helped him as he made his way across the US.

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Chiropractor and acupuncturist Larry Grogin runs in Ohio in the US during his successful bid to complete 100 marathons in as many days to raise money for organisations that help Parkinson’s sufferers. The 71-year-old shares how traditional Chinese medicine helped him achieve this feat. Photo: Instagram.com/runlarryrun26
Grogin during his 100-day challenge, in the US state of Missouri. Photo: Instagram/runlarryrun26
Wellness

50km ultra-marathon on ‘magical’ 5-day Easter Island holiday a race like no other

A five-day running and hiking tour of Rapa Nui left this writer in awe of the Pacific island’s landscape and spirituality, and slightly lost.

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Wellness

Can too much running cause colon cancer? New study raises questions

Study finds unusually high rates of precancerous colon polyps in endurance runners, raising concerns over marathoning’s impact on gut health.

The Future of Marketing in Asia

Sports marketing ditches billboards for culture

From NBA x K-pop collaborations to interactive experiences, brands are moving past simple sponsorships to embed themselves in sports culture.

Local Arsenal fans at the friendly between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur held at Kai Tak Stadium in July 2025. The prestige of marketing at major sporting events has skyrocketed in recent years. Photos: Elson Li
Sadiq Khan

London Marathon to become 2-day event in 2027, open up places for 100,000 runners

A record 1.33 million athletes have applied to take part in next year’s events, which will take place on the weekend of April 24.

Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe crosses the finish line to win the London Marathon in a world-record time. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong Marathon

Priority-entry registration for Hong Kong bridge half-marathon opens on Thursday

Early registration for city’s highest-level road race is for those who meet specific qualifying times; public ballot begins a week later.

Wellness

This Hong Kong executive lost 32kg in just 8 months. How did he do it?

Two years ago, Keizer Cheng had 37 per cent body fat, aching knees and trouble sleeping. Now he’s sculpted and doing Hyrox races.

Wellness

The benefits of running barefoot and the Hongkongers making shoeless strides

Hong Kong barefoot runners and hikers share the health benefits and risks of going shoeless and give advice on how to start training.

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Barefoot marathoner and Hyrox competitor Leo Chan runs shoeless in Hong Kong’s Victoria Park on May 13, 2026. Photo: Dickson Lee

‘Doors have been opened’ in marathon, says nutritionist behind Sawe’s record run

Brand that helped Sabastian Sawe break world record at London Marathon says carbohydrates can have more impact on performance than shoes.

Sabastian Sawe crosses the London Marathon finishing line in a world-record time. Photo: Reuters
China’s Ministry of Education

China’s marathon boom masks elite competitive performance failings, expert says

Official at Peking University says that improving country’s international standing has to start in a separate, school-based selection system.

Danish pensioner continues 22-year love affair with China’s Great Wall Marathon

Among the more than 2,000 runners will be 67-year-old Henrik Brandt, who has vowed to keep returning for the event into his 70s.

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Adidas

Sawe Adidas shoes spike online, with resellers asking up to US$4,000 a pair

Trainers that retail for US$500 are going for astronomical sums, but some question whether they are actually worth it.

Sebastian Sawe became the first runner to break the two-hour barrier in a marathon. Photo: Xinhua
Adidas

Adidas gets lift from 2 sub-2-hour runs, 2 world records at London Marathon

Both men’s and women’s winners, Sabastian Sawe and Yomif Kejelcha, wore the German brand’s new lightweight shoe, as did the men’s runner-up.

Eliud Kipchoge

London Marathon star Sawe says ‘nothing is impossible’ after sub-2-hour record

City’s race chief believes Sabastian Sawe achievement could be ‘greatest sporting moment’ of the 21st century.

Sabastian Sawe makes history with first sub-two-hour marathon in London

Kenyan first man to complete marathon distance in less than two hours, while Tigst Assefa smashes her own women’s-only world record.

Sabastian Sawe crosses the finishing line following his record-breaking London Marathon run. Photo: Reuters
Northeastern University

‘Natural instinct,’ says man who helped fellow runner finish Boston Marathon

Northern Irishman Aaron Beggs and Brazilian Robson De Olivera sprang into action when Ajay Haridasse collapsed about 300m from the end.

Boston Marathon runners Robson De Oliveira of Brazil (left) and Aaron Beggs of Northern Ireland (right) help Ajay Haridasse across the finish line on Monday. Photo: AP
Hong Kong Metropolitan University

More waves, moving aid stations; meet the scientist changing the Boston Marathon

With more than 32,000 runners expected to take part in Monday’s race, organisers have been getting creative in managing time and space.

Hong Kong, China Association of Athletics Affiliates

Hong Kong bridge half-marathon gets platinum status, now city’s top-ranked race

Global governing body World Athletics upgrades race on Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge for 2026 season.

Hong Kong Marathon

Law urges caution over Hong Kong Marathon route change, 2-day event proposal

Organisers considering moving finish line to Kai Tak Sports Park with recommendation expected this month.

Runners make their way through Sheung Wan after passing through the Western Harbour Crossing during the 2026 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. Photo: Karma Lo
Robotics

Humans, robots to run together again at Beijing Yizhuang Half Marathon: organisers

More than 300 humanoid machines representing at least 100 company and university teams will compete in the race on April 19 in Beijing E-Town.

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Humanoid robot Tiangong Ultra runs across the finish line first in last year’s Humanoid Robot Half Marathon. Photo: Reuters

Chengdu marathon bans woman who did splits mid-race, man who hoarded energy gel

Organisers of last weekend’s race, which drew 35,000 runners from 37 countries and regions, also punished two runners who swapped bibs.

Former ‘fastest nurse’ wins first marathon as professional, earning 40,000 yuan

Zhang Shuihua wins Lishui Marathon on Sunday and has earned far more than her nursing income since resigning from her tenured position.

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