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SCMP Sport

This live blog has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing.
Melaku Belachew claimed his second men’s title, Shitaye Eshete won the women’s race and came close to the course record, and Hong Kong triathlete Wong Tsz-to ensured there was home gold on Sunday.
On a day when conditions were not conducive to fast times, some 74,000 runners still took to the streets for the city’s biggest race day of the year.
And while there were very few KPop Demon Hunters in evidence, costumes added some sparkle to proceedings.
It was Standard Chartered Marathon day in Hong Kong, and as usual, it proved to be a busy morning across the city.
More from our reporting:
Local runner ‘nervous, fearful’ about competing in Hong Kong Marathon blindfolded
North Korean quintet among overseas runners invited for Hong Kong Marathon
Standard Chartered Taipei Charity Marathon hands out medals with glaring typo
Reporting by Mike Chan, Paul McNamara, Stephy Zhang and Ada Li.


How people like 70-year-old Chow Yun-fat keep pushing their endurance limits as they age

A tourism carnival or elite-level race? What could be next for the Hong Kong Marathon

Hong Kong eyes bigger marathon with egg waffles and milk tea to cheer runners

Police probe child abuse report after man runs with baby in Hong Kong Marathon

Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon

Belachew, Eshete claim Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon crowns - as it happened

Some 74,000 runners took part across the three distances of the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. Photo: Eugene Lee

Sport

Hong Kong

Outdoor

Melaku Belachew wins men’s race for second time, while Bahrain’s Shitaye Eshete goes close to breaking women’s mark set in 2019


Melaku Belachew wins men’s race for second time, while Bahrain’s Shitaye Eshete goes close to breaking women’s mark set in 2019.


Marathons

Live

Why do we do this to ourselves, honestly? It’s 0600 and in the words of the great, late Robin Williams, “what does the 0 stand for, O my God it’s early”.
Yes, runners are a strange breed, especially long-distance ones. But here we are, and it’s the start of another Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon.
If you’re taking the sensible option and following us from the comfort of your couch, kitchen table, or anywhere that doesn’t involve running, welcome. If you’re following us and running, see my comment above.




Morning all

Among the early risers this morning, was the Post’s Mike Chan, who is in Tsim Sha Tsui chatting to some of those taking part in the half and full marathons, among them Alan Lee, who is running his first marathon.
“I think everyone must complete at least one marathon in their life,” he says. “I had a fairly decent half marathon time [around one hour, and 30 minutes] and was guaranteed my participation this year, the organisers gave me two choices - to compete in the half distance, or the full marathon.
“I only started running because of health concerns and wanted to do some exercise, but it’s an addictive sport. I had done a couple of 10km in the past before I switched to half marathon last year, this is probably my eighth or ninth Standard Chartered event as I stopped briefly before with a calf injury.”



The first timer

Well, it’s not even light out yet and we’ve got our first Spider-Man of the day, still I suppose he’s used to working under the cover of night...or is that Batman?
Either way. There’s no way this is the last superhero we’ll see today.



Costume watch

Well, actually, they’ve been off since about 5.30am, which is when the 10km race started on Hong Kong Island, and the first batch of half-marathon runners got under way.
The marathon challenge group started at 6am, and the elite runners are expected to go soon after.
Among the officials overseeing the start are Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and sports minister Rosanna Law Shuk-pui.






And they’re off

We have our first runner across the line, and it’s Hong Kong triathlete Wong Taz-to who claims the 10km title.
The official time was “31 something” according to our man on the ground Paul McNamara, who has been having some trouble getting to the finish line.



10km result

The early morning start meant people had to find different places to stretch, with the MTR proving to be quite a popular spot for some warming up.





Getting ready

We have an update on Wong Tsz-to’s winning time in the 10km from “31 something”
Last seen representing Hong Kong in the National Games triathlon in November, Wong crosses the line in an unofficial time of 31 minutes and 11 seconds.
Fellow triathlete Nick Yip tak-long is third in 31:29, that pair sandwiching silver medallist Michael Tse Chun-yin, who crosses in 31:25.



Wong time update

There were lots of happy faces at the start line this morning, and Post photographer Karma Lo captured some of them before the races got going.





Smiles before the pain

For the third straight year Tsang Hiu-tung wins the women’s 10km race after reaching Victoria Park in an unofficial time of 35 minutes and 35 seconds.
Sarah Modiano is second in 36:40 and Ashlee Treagus third in 37:22.



Hat-trick for Tsang

These runners don’t hang about do they? It seems like it was only a minute ago that the half-marathon started, and we’ve got our first competitor across the line.
China’s Chen Yufan, who won the 10km in 2024, takes the men’s crown in an unofficial time of one hour, seven minutes and 56 seconds.
Second in 1:09:20 is Taiwan’s Hsu Li-hung, with Gi Ka-man, the first Hongkonger, taking bronze in 1:09:32.



Chen wins half-marathon

The elite runners are out on the course in the marathon, and have been going for about 30 minutes.
Defending champion Bethwell Kipkemboi told us he is looking to break the course record of two hours, nine minutes and 20 seconds, which was set by fellow Kenyan Barnabas Kiptum in 2019.
In the women’s race, Bahrain’s Shitaye Eshete, who was born in Ethiopia, is making her Hong Kong debut as the fastest of the invited female runners.


Chasing victory

Gi Ka-man, who is third in the half-marathon and first Hongkonger across the line, says this year will be his last “running seriously”, with a clear goal in his mind.
“I am 42 already, I am getting old and cannot bear [the training load], I’ll be working as a coach, grooming the next generation runners, and some engineering work, too” Gi says.
Finishing with an official time of 1:09.32, Gi says he will run the Kagawa Marugame International Half Marathon in two weeks, before the Osaka marathon next month.
“My target this year is clear, that’s to represent Hong Kong at the Asian Games in marathon,” he adds. “It’s my last attempt to get that done, I had never done it before, partly due to injuries, and then the delay of the Games because of Covid.”


Asian Games goal

Hong Kong triathlete Wong Tsz-to tells Post reporter Stephy Zhang that he only had a month to prepare for today’s 10km race, which he won, because he had been on holiday.
Apparently he’s “satisfied with the result”, which you would hope he would be.
“It’s a good result for today, I hope to maintain my times and fitness for the selection races for the Asian Games,” Wong says. “It won’t be easy, but I want to get a spot to represent Hong Kong again.”



Humble brag

The sun is starting to come up in Hong Kong, and the views is one of the reasons people take part in the 10km. Among those running is the Post’s Nora Tam, who sent us these as she makes her way to Victoria Park.




Route with a view

The elite marathon runners are halfway through their 26.2 mile jaunt around Hong Kong, and defending champion Bethwell Kipkemboi is among the front pack
Kenya’s Kennedy Njogu is leading the way and is on pace to finish in around two hours and 12 minutes. Mekuant Ayenew, the fastest man in the field, is currently eighth according to the official tracking app.
In the women’s event, Shitaye Eshete has also passed the halfway point and is among a group of five that have broken away from the field.


The halfway point

The women’s half-marathon title goes to 43-year-old mother of two Rachel See. The Singaporean, who works as a civil servant, finishes in an unofficial one hour, 20 minutes and 56 seconds.
Hong Kong’s Crystal Vut Tsz-ying is second in 1:21:02, with another home athlete, Wan Taz-wai managing 1:22:10 to claim third.



Gold for Singapore

While the winners of the half-marathon are planning their victory breakfasts, other runners are waiting to start.
The next group expect to leave around 7.45am, and this is what it looks like in the middle of that pack.



Still waiting to start

Women’s 10km champion Tsang Hiu-tung, who won the title for the third time, says the “feeling is different every year”.
“The first year felt like a dream, last year I really wanted to try and win first place again, and this year I actually wanted to get close to my personal best, because last year was a major breakthrough for me,” she says.
“Although the weather was colder than last year, looking back now, it actually felt tougher than last year. Also, I had to run alone this year, but I’m still quite satisfied with the time.”


Tougher than last time

Half-marathon champion Chen Yufan says that after winning the 10km in 2024, “this time, I wanted to challenge myself with the half-marathon”.
The mainland Chinese athlete from Beijing says his expectations “were also high because my recent training has gone smoothly”.
“There were a lot more hills compared to the 10km, so it was a new challenge because I’m not very good on uphill sections,” he says. “The applause from our Hong Kong people is incredibly warm and passionate.”



A challenging run

The elite runners have about two miles to go, and Kenyan Francis Kipkorir Langat takes the lead from countryman Kennedy Njogu.
Asian Games silver medallist Han Il-ryong is also in the mix. Langat is on pace to finish in around two hours, 10 minutes.
In the women’s event Shitaye Eshete remains in front, with Nigisti Haftu Tesfay, and Kenyan runner Linet Masai in a lead group of three.


Nearing the finish

Melaku Belachew stages a daring breakaway to win the men’s marathon for a second time, nine years after his first victory in Hong Kong.
The Ethiopian crosses in two hours, nine minutes and 39 seconds and performs a joyous dance, just as he did back in 2017.
Francis Kipkorir Langat is third, following home second-placed Silas Kiprono Too.



Belachew breakaway

Actor Chow Yun-fat is a regular at the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. He’s among those doing the 10km this year.



A familiar face

Women’s half-marathon champion Racheal See says she only decided to race at the last moment, and was in Hong Kong to support her husband who is running in the full marathon.
The civil servant from Singapore says her win came because she felt “very relaxed today”.
“Today’s race was actually quite challenging because I felt the wind was very strong, even though the weather was rather cool,” she says. “But the wind was really strong—it felt tough being constantly pushed by the wind.”



Last-minute entry

Bahrain’s Shitaye Eshete storms to her first Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon title after breaking away late in the race.
The 35-year-old crosses the line in two hours, 27 minutes and two seconds.
Nigisti Haftu Tesfay finishes second in 2:29:13, and Kenyan runner Linet Masai in third at 2:29:23



Eshete claims women’s title

Known as the “citizen runner”, Japan’s Yuki Kawauchi crosses the finish line in two hours, 19 minutes and 52 seconds.
The 38-year-old ranks 16th in the men’s elite division.



A crowd favourite

Hong Kong athletics’ outside man Wong Wan-chun is the first from the city across the line in 23rd, stopping the clock at two hours, 26 minutes and 47 seconds.
That’s 13:45 slower than the time that won the Asian Games in 2023, when He Jie claimed gold in 2:13:02.
Consensus here is it’s tricky day for running … or “horrible” as winner Melaku Belachew called it, citing a strong headwind.



Hong Kong’s marathon man

There are plenty of famous faces among the runners today, not least Hui Yin of Hong Kong YouTubers Trial & Error.



Celebrity watch

Virginia Lo Ying-chiu raises a triumphant arm as she finishes in an unofficial time of two hours, 41 minutes and 29 seconds.
The first Hong Kong female finisher, and 13th overall, Lo was short of the 2.39:23 personal best she established in the National Games two short months ago.



Lo’s triumphant finish

It’s something organisers hand out every year, and here are a couple of contenders so far.




Best costume award

Ever wondered what it looks like once runners cross the finish line? Wonder no more. Here’s what Nora Tam saw when she finished her 10km.





Behind the scenes

Some 74,000 runners reportedly took to the streets of Hong Kong today for the Standard Chartered 10km, half-marathon and marathon races. Post Photographers Nora Tam, Eugene Lee and Karma Lo have been out and about too.





Where’s Wally?

Among those up early was Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, who was on hand in Tsim Sha Tsui to send the runners off at the start of the marathon events.
With organisers claiming that 25 per cent of competitors were from outside the city, Lee says the Standard Chartered Marathon solidified Hong Kong’s “position as an international sports capital”.
Writing on his official Facebook page, Lee says the government “remains dedicated to a long-term vision for sports development centred on five key objectives: fostering elite talent, hosting major events, enhancing professionalism, driving industrialisation, and promoting popularisation”.
“By hosting diverse large-scale activities, the government aims to encourage a culture of fitness and health, motivating residents to maintain regular exercise habits,” he adds. “This comprehensive approach ensures that sports remain a cornerstone of Hong Kong’s social and economic development.”






A sports capital

Apparently the conditions today are not idea for fast times. Winner Melaku Belachew calls them “horrible”, and Virginia Lo Ying-chiu, Hong Kong’s fastest woman in the marathon was not thrilled by the weather.
Still, she is content with her 13th place after “not pushing too hard” in preparation following her National Games PB effort in November.



Cold and windy

Seventy-year-old film star Chow Yun-fat completes his 10km in two hours and 23 seconds.
Credit to the DJ on site at Victoria Park. The song of popular Hong Kong movie “God of Gamblers” is played as the actor crosses the finish line.
Chow says he ran with friends and fellow actors, including Pao Hee-ching and Kent Cheng. “Collectively, we add up to several hundred years old,” he tells reporters.



God of Gamblers

It wouldn’t be the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon without some familiar failings.
For example, it would be great to hear from women’s winner Shitaye Eshete, and she would probably like to get on with talking to us, too.
Organisers, however, are scrambling to find an interpreter for the bored-looking winner, who crossed the nine at least 90 minutes ago.



Lessons not learned

Sadly, there appear to have been some medical emergencies this morning, with runners being rushed to hospital.
In one incident, a male runner on the westbound carriageway of the Island Eastern Corridor near Quarry Bay Park suddenly experienced heart discomfort. He received on-site first aid and was later taken to Ruttonjee Hospital in Wan Chai for emergency treatment.
Later, a second runner was sent to hospital unconscious, with reports of heart trouble.
Several other athletes have been sent to the same hospital for treatment for various other injuries, none of which are believed to be life-threatening.


Medical emergencies

Japan’s citizen runner Yuki Kawauchi says it was a “dream come true” to compete in one of “Asia’s premier marathons”.
He agrees conditions were tough. However, compared to previous marathons he’s run in - 32 degrees Celsius and minus-17 degrees Celsius - Kawauchi says the environment “wasn’t so bad”.
Kawauchi says he “does not have the conditioning” to compete in this year’s Asian Games, but is eyeing qualification for the 2028 Olympics, when he will be a sprightly 41 years old.


Dream come true

Crystal Vut Tsz-ying, who is second in the women’s elite half-marathon, says her result proves she can still compete.
“I am growing older so I am more relaxed with my races, I’ll try to enjoy, rather than focusing on those few seconds of differences,” the 35-year-old says. “I am still training hard but just try to do what I am supposed to during my races.
“My time at 1:21:02 is like a confidence boost for me because my condition was really bad towards the end of last year, but I felt rather good today.”


A crystal clear focus

Communicating through a not-so-hastily-summoned interpreter, women’s marathon winner Shitaye Eshete says her victory stemmed from the confidence gleaned from her sixth place in last year’s World Championships marathon, coupled with a recent block of hard work.
“It was a challenging course, but I felt prepared for it,” Eshete says.
Her only regret was that her time of two hours, 27 minutes and three seconds did not wrest the course record from Volha Mazuronak of Belarus, who ran 2:26:13 in 2019.
“I will try to get it next time,” Eshete says.


I’ll get it next time

Wong Wan-chun, the first Hongkonger to finish the marathon, downplays his relatively disappointing time of two hours, 26 minutes and 47 seconds, which was more than five minutes slower than the 2:21:04 he managed last year.
Twenty-third overall, Wong finished eight spots below the 15th-place effort he managed in 2025.
“I was just thinking about getting to the finish line, and hopefully being the first from Hong Kong,” Wong says. “I wasn’t thinking too much about my time, of course it’s great if I can have a good time but I just want to be the first in Hong Kong, so I am happy.”


Wong downplays disappointment

Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon winner Melaku Belachew, who regains the title he first won in 2017, says he loves the city, although not Sunday’s conditions.
“The weather was terrible, there was a very strong wind and a little bit of humidity, but finally I did it, so it’s good,” Belachew says. “I will come back because I love Hong Kong.”


‘I love this city’

While the day’s fastest runners have showered, changed and headed out for a well deserve breakfast, those who move at a more sedate pace are still crossing the finish line in droves.
Anyone who fancies trying it again next year, assuming they can get a place, has almost exactly a year to get ready.
Organisers have just announced that the 2027 version will be on January 17.



Coming home in droves

Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po has a message for the city’s exhausted runners: get out there and spend some money.
Fresh from taking part in a gentle 2km race for politicians and business leaders, Chan urges the 74,000 participants of today’s events, who have all paid to enter, to put their hands in their pockets once more.
“This year’s Standard Chartered Marathon saw about 700 small and medium-sized restaurants support, welcoming participants to treat themselves after the race, [to] spend easily, and spread the joyful and lively atmosphere throughout the community,” Chan says in a post on his official Facebook page.





Spend, spend, spend

The Hospital Authority has given this as its latest update on injuries sustained during today’s races.
“Twenty-two runners were taken to public hospitals as of 11am. Two remain in critical condition, two are serious, 17 are stable and one has already been discharged.”



Injuries update

It’s certainly been a busy morning, but as we get towards the afternoon the time has come to close our live blog for the day.
Thank you for following along with our coverage, and don’t forget we will have in depth interviews with the winners and other runners on scmp.com/sport throughout the day.
Until the next time, that’s all folks.


Belachew, Eshete claim Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon crowns - as it happened

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Melaku Belachew wins men’s race for second time, while Bahrain’s Shitaye Eshete goes close to breaking women’s mark set in 2019

Melaku Belachew wins men’s race for second time, while Bahrain’s Shitaye Eshete goes close to breaking women’s mark set in 2019