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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.
Applications for this year’s Shanghai Marathon have surpassed last year’s total less than halfway through the registration period. Photo: Getty Images
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

Adidas

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

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.

Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa (left) and Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe with their Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 shoes after winning and setting world records at the London Marathon on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
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.

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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.

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.

gwrfwrge

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.

The winner of the 2026 Chongqing Wanzhou Marathon, Sheng Xueli, was stopped and diverted just before the finish line on Sunday. Photo: handout
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.

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.

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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.

China’s Feng Peiyou (centre) breaks away from Japan’s Suguru Osako in a sprint finish to the Tokyo Marathon, but finishes just behind 10th-place Shifera Tamru of Ethiopia. Photo: Xinhua
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.

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.

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.

Runners in the 2026 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon arrive in Sheung Wan after passing through the Western Harbour Crossing. Photo: Karma Lo
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.

Taking NSAIDs for issues like knee pain while running long distances could be bad news for runners as the painkillers place additional strain on the kidneys, experts say. Photo: Shutterstock
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.

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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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.

Athletes run along the Island Eastern Corridor during the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon’s 10km race on January 18. Photo: Eugene Lee
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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Almost all of the 74,000 runners who were awarded a place in the race, out of 120,000 applicants, turned up, organisers said. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong Marathon

Hong Kong Marathon winner Belachew reignites city love affair, vows to return

Women’s crown goes to Shitaye Eshete, local pride for Virginia Lo and Wong Wan-chun as they cross first among home runners.

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Hong Kong Marathon

Runners who missed out on Hong Kong Marathon complete Happy Valley ‘invitational’

With almost half of applicants unable to get a spot in Sunday’s event, a few do the next best thing – it’s still running, organiser says.

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