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Miguel Enriquez

The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon attracts tens of thousands of people from all over the world every year but the sporting event had humble beginnings in the city.
When Hong Kong held its first international marathon in 1969, there were only 28 participants.
In this collection of pictures, we look at how the annual running event has grown throughout the years.






















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

Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon

Hong Kong marathons throughout the years – SCMP archive

Runners during the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon in 1999. This was the first time the running event was held in the heart of the city. Photo: David Wong 

Runners taking part in the Tin Tin international marathon at Yuen Long Stadium in the New Territories on December 14, 1969. Photo: SCMP

Adrian Trowell and Sandra Fung, winners of the men’s and women’s titles in the Cathay Pacific Marathon held in Shek Kong, congratulate each other after the race on December 4, 1977. Photo: SCMP

The marathon moved to Hong Kong Island’s Eastern Corridor for the first time in 1988, attracting nearly 1,000 runners. Photo: SCMP 

In 1992, Hong Kong’s became the first marathon to run across two territories, starting in Sheung Shui in the New Territories and finishing in the Shenzhen Gymnasium. Runners were required to clear immigration checkpoints. Photo: SCMP

Standard Chartered became the title sponsor of the event in 1997. Photo: Tony Aw

Nicholas Kioko from Kenya was the champion of the men’s overall event in 1997. Photo: Tony Aw

Over 6,000 runners took part in 1998’s marathon which ended at the newly built Hong Kong International Airport’s runway in Chek Lap Kok. Photo: Ricky Chung

The marathon went “urban” for the first time in 1999, starting in the heart of Hong Kong’s Central District. Photo: David Wong

At the start of the millennium, the running event expanded to include three different distances: marathon, half marathon and 10km. Photo: Garrige Ho

Runners pack Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui on February 8, 2004. Photo: Antony Dickson

Pollution levels were high during 2006’s marathon with many runners complaining that the air quality had affected their performance. Photo: Dominic Nahr

A competitor lies on the floor because of exhaustion after finishing the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon in 2006. Photo: Dominic Nahr

The Best Costume Award was introduced in 2009. Photo: May Tse

The full marathon wheelchair event and 3km wheelchair event were introduced for the first time in 2012. Photo: Nora Tam

Runners preparing for the 10km event in 2012. Participant numbers hit a record 70,000 this year. Photo: Felix Wong

Paper cups at the roadside during the 2018 Hong Kong Marathon. Photo: Dickson Lee

After being suspended in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon returned with physical races on October 24, 2021. Photo: May Tse

The 2021 race was Hong Kong’s first large-scale sporting event since the pandemic began. Participants had to follow vaccine requirements. Photo: May Tse

The city’s iconic Lion Rock is seen in the background during the 2025 marathon. Photo: Eugene Lee

A runner dressed up as God of Wealth at the Island Eastern Corridor in North Point during last year’s Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong marathon sets record with 1 in 4 of 74,000 runners from outside city

Runners pass through West Kowloon during last year’s marathon. Photo: Dickson Lee

Last year, about 20 per cent of the runners, or 15,000, were non-locals. Photo: Eugene Lee

Runners complain of overcrowding after closure of sports grounds ahead of Hong Kong Marathon

Runners compete for space at Hammer Hill Road Sports Ground. Photo: Handout

Local runners are struggling to find space to train at the city’s few remaining open public tracks ahead of the Hong Kong Marathon. Photo: Eugene Lee

People queuing to use the facilities at Hammer Hill Road Sports Ground. Photo: Handout

Hongkonger’s milestone marathon now just a marker on road to reaching magic number

Ming Chen is preparing to compete in her 88th marathon at the Road Scholars China Coast Marathon. Photo: Karma Lo

Ming Chen ran five marathons last year – including Cape Cod, Brighton and Hong Kong Streetathon. Photo: Karma Lo

High Island Reservoir and Sai Kung are the backdrop to the China Coast Marathon. Photo: Eugene Lee

Ming Chen credits running with a group of friends for inspiring her to continue competing. Photo: AVOHK

Sport

Hong Kong

News

Ahead of Sunday’s Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, the Post looks back at the city’s marathon history


Ahead of Sunday’s Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, the Post looks back at the city’s marathon history.


Marathons

From our archives

Hong Kong society

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Ahead of Sunday’s Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, the Post looks back at the city’s marathon history

Ahead of Sunday’s Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, the Post looks back at the city’s marathon history