Hong Kong’s hosting of elite sports events has accelerated with the opening of the new Kai Tak Sports Park last month. Fans are enjoying new opportunities to cheer on their heroes.
But these star-studded events should also inspire the community to participate in sport. The city must make the most of events open to competitors at all levels.
The Hong Kong marathon, which saw 74,000 runners run through the city’s streets in February, is the biggest and best-known of such occasions. Planning for next year’s event is under way.
Organisers should be open to new ideas to ensure it evolves and improves.
Singapore has made changes to its marathon, scheduled for December. It will be held over two days instead of three.
Significantly, the full marathon and half marathon will be run on different days for the first time, to accommodate more runners after a surge in interest.
Hong Kong’s marathon, with a higher number of participants, takes place on a single day. The city’s event has its own characteristics and does not necessarily need to follow Singapore’s example.
