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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.
Barefoot marathoner and Hyrox competitor Leo Chan runs shoeless in Hong Kong’s Victoria Park on May 13, 2026. Photo: Dickson Lee
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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‘Doors have been opened’ in marathon, says nutritionist behind Sawe’s record run

China’s Ministry of Education

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

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.

Full-marathon runners will tackle 5,164 steps on the Great Wall, with some slopes said to be as steep as 70 degrees and requiring runners to use their hands to climb. Photo: Reuters
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.

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.

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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.

Marathon winners Sabastian Sawe (left) and Tigst Assefa with the Chris Brasher Sporting Life Trophy in London. Photo: AFP

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.

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.

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.

Runners approach the finish line for the 2025 Boston Marathon. Photo: AP
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.

Runners set off at the start of the 2025 Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Half Marathon. Photo: Eugene Lee
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.

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.

videocam

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.

A female runner did full spilts during the Chengdu marathon on Sunday, causing disruption to other competitors. Photo: Handout

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.

Zhang Shuihua winning the 2025 Harbin Marathon last August while she was working as a nurse. Photo: Xinhua
Mainland China

Video | Chinese marathon official banned for blocking winner near finish line

Despite the drama, the runner still managed to finish and win the marathon.

Chinese race official gets 1-year ban after mistakenly pushing winner off course

Sheng Xueli was leading the 2026 Chongqing Wanzhou Marathon by a fair distance when he was mistaken for a half-marathon competitor.

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Stanford University

How Hong Kong helped this US sprinter meet fresh challenges, learn to run again

Claire Cormier Thielke moved to the city in 2019, made friends through running and has now even completed the 777 Marathon Challenge.

Claire Cormier Thielke completed seven marathons on seven continents over seven days in the 777 Challenge last month. Photo: Claire Cormier Thielke
Wellness

Why electrolyte drinks like Gatorade and Pocari Sweat aren’t always beneficial

Health professionals explain who does and doesn’t benefit from electrolyte supplements and why making them at home isn’t a good idea.

Asian Games 2026

Japanese spur Feng Peiyou to break He Jie’s Chinese record at Tokyo Marathon

China runner puts Asian Games rivals on notice at year’s first major race with a time that crushed previous mark set at Wuxi Marathon in 2024.

Hong Kong society

On This Day | 1 runner resuscitated, 22 hospitalised in 2006 marathon – from the SCMP archive

Twenty years ago on February 12, 2006, amid the worst air pollution in months, multiple participants in city’s annual race sought medical attention.

The scene at the start of the half-marathon on Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui on February 12, 2006. Photo: SCMP
Wellness

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

Chow ran a half-marathon last year, while silver stars like Natalie Grabow, Jeannie Rice and Hiromu Inada are breaking records. Here’s how.

Actor Chow Yun-fat (middle) runs in the 10km event at the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2026. The 70-year-old is part of a growing number of older people competing in endurance races. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong Marathon

Tourism carnival or elite-level race? What could be next for Hong Kong Marathon

Olympic gold medallist Vivian Kong tells Legislative Council race could mirror France’s famous wine run; sports minister details other options.

Wellness

Why these common painkillers might be bad news for long distance runners

NSAIDs strain the kidneys, as does endurance running, and many race organisers advise against taking the anti-inflammatories during events.

Hong Kong society

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

Tourism chief Rosanna Law says government open to expanding Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon capacity or turning it into two-day event.

Athletes run along Island Eastern Corridor during the 10km race of the marathon. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong police

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

The force reached out to the runner and is arranging a time for him to return to the city to assist with investigation, an insider says.

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A widely circulated social media video, apparently shot by another runner, shows the man jogging with the infant strapped to his chest. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Time for Hong Kong marathon to pick up the pace and evolve

With the popularity of the event growing and competition from other cities, organisers should be open to innovative ideas for improvement.

Hong Kong Marathon

Hong Kong Marathon organisers to look into turning event into 2-day affair

Huge number of applications is an issue that needs to be addressed, they say, but so is disruption to the city caused by just one race day.

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