Photo credit: Standard Chartered HK Marathon FB
Despite dreary weather conditions, the 2019 Hong Kong Marathon still proved to be a fantastic occasion.
Observers were kept entertained by the sheer magnitude of participants (74,000), and through the many records broken.
Kenyan Barnabas Kiptum set a new record of two hours, nine minutes, 21 seconds, blitzing the rest of the chasing pack to the extent that that runner-up Dawit Wolde of Ethiopia thought he had won.
On top of a US$65,000 windfall, he was awarded an extra US$10,000 for beating the 2:09:30 target set by organisers.
The women’s record was also broken; Volha Mazuronak of Belarus finished the marathon in
two hours, twenty-six minutes, 13 seconds - smashing the previous record with an astounding 3 minutes to spare.
Like her male compatriot, Mazuronak also received an extra US$10,000 for finishing under the 2:28:00 target- not too bad for her maiden Hong Kong marathon.
Some of Hong Kong’s local athletes also enjoyed success, with Chan Ka-ho emerging third in the men’s half marathon. In the women’s category, Yiu Kit-ching and Vut Tsz-ying came in first and third respectively.