LCQ4: Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon
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Question:
It has been reported that the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2026 (Marathon) received over 120 000 applications, with oversubscription reaching a record high. There are views pointing out that the authorities should optimise the Marathon to accommodate more runners and strengthen its economic impact as a mega event. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether it will discuss with the Hong Kong, China Association of Athletics Affiliates (HKAAA) to increase the number of race days and categories of the Marathon so as to expand its scale; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(2) whether it will discuss with the HKAAA the incorporation of various harbourfront venues into the Marathon's race route to create a "harbourfront marathon"; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3) whether it will collaborate with the HKAAA to jointly strive for the Marathon to be recognised as one of the World Marathon Majors, so as to attract more overseas runners to participate in the race in Hong Kong?
Reply:
Thank you, Acting President.
The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon (Marathon) is organised by the Hong Kong, China Association of Athletics Affiliates (HKAAA). Since 2005, it has been awarded the "M" Mark status with funding support, and has developed into the most sizable and representative long-distance running event annually in Hong Kong, widely welcomed by local and international running enthusiasts.
The Government is pleased to see the HKAAA, with support and active co-operation from sponsors, various government departments and stakeholders, continues to enhance the scale, level, and international appeal of the event. The number of participants in the Marathon has grown from about 1 000 in the inaugural 1997 event to about 74 000 in 2026. This year's event also included 20 invited overseas world-class athletes and about 19 250 individual runners from more than 110 countries/regions. Non-local athletes accounted for a record high of 25 per cent, demonstrating the event's increasing international appeal.
The Government's consolidated reply to the questions raised by the Hon Yang Wing-kit is as follows:
The Marathon is a successful major sports event that can attract visitors to Hong Kong and boost local spending while enhancing Hong Kong's overall sporting atmosphere. Therefore, the Government supports the HKAAA in continuing to host the event and, where feasible, expanding its scale. We take the view that when planning further development of the event, the HKAAA should carefully consider its development objectives, i.e., whether to raise the event's professional standards to achieve a higher level of competition, or to develop it into a festive, mass participation event by engaging more of the general public and visitors and increasing its quota. Although these two directions are not mutually exclusive, clear goals and directions are crucial for the sustainable success of the Marathon.
The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) has requested the HKAAA to actively study and make recommendations to promote the development of the Marathon, including the two aforementioned objectives. We note that the HKAAA has formed a dedicated working group to carry out related work and hope that the HKAAA will submit concrete proposals within a few months. The CSTB and relevant departments will also provide feedback and assistance. We believe that clear development recommendations from the HKAAA will also help sponsors and stakeholders explore ways to collaborate and support the event.
The Government agrees that the HKAAA should consider various possibilities in the future development of the Marathon, including race route, time of hosting the event and number of participants, etc. Regarding the race route, with the gradual completion of more harbourfront enhancement projects (such as the East Coast Boardwalk), the Government welcomes the use of landmark harbourfront locations for different running competitions and activities to enhance runners' experience and showcase Hong Kong's unique urban landscape. The CSTB has asked the HKAAA to review different options through the dedicated working group, and conduct an overall assessment of factors such as race route conditions, climate conditions, runners' experience, safety considerations, emergency response mechanisms and impact on the citizens' daily lives, etc.
Currently, the Marathon has been recognised by the World Athletics as a Gold Label Road Race, attracting a large number of local and overseas runners. It has already become a well-known international marathon event. Regardless of whether it is the Platinum Label Road Races and the World Marathon Majors, both represent the highest level of global marathon events, featuring a substantial presence of world-class marathon elites. If Hong Kong hosts such events, it will have a highly positive impact on Hong Kong's international image and sports tourism development. As I have already mentioned, the HKAAA needs to carefully study the direction for developing the Marathon. If the direction is to achieve an even higher level of international competition, the HKAAA must study the related requirements and assess the feasibility of achieving them. The Government hopes that the HKAAA can complete a feasibility assessment as soon as possible and establish a clear development direction to enable the Government to offer the necessary support and assistance.
The Government acknowledges the public expectation to expand the scale of the Marathon, optimise its race route design and elevate its international status. We will continue to offer advice and assistance to the HKAAA on various key aspects such as safety, cost-effectiveness and maintenance of event quality so that the HKAAA can put forward concrete proposals for the development of the Marathon. We are committed to striking a balance among promoting sports development, enhancing tourism benefits and maintaining societal operations so that participants, citizens, and the entire Hong Kong community as a whole can benefit.
Thank you, Acting President.
Ends/Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:30
Issued at HKT 16:30
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