But the association, organizer of the competition, dismissed the suggestion that air pollution caused the ailments, even though the air pollution index along the race route was rated "very high."

Twenty-two runners were taken to hospital - two in critical condition - and nearly 5,000 required medical attention during the race which attracted a record number of entrants.

The Environmental Protection Department said the roadside pollution index ranged from 124 to 149. At one section of the course, it hit almost 150.

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An API level of more than 100 means that one or more air pollutants are in the unhealthy range.

But officials Monday contended that the number of injuries was in proportion to the higher number of participants this year. The association said it will consider capping the number of participants and possibly set a maximum API under which the race will be held.

Marathon organizers, including the association, government departments, sponsors and other groups will hold a meeting in the next three weeks to reconsider the marathon route and date.

Questions were raised about whether Sunday's race - the largest athletic event in Hong Kong every year - should have been called off.

Several hundred runners were treated at roadside first aid stations for leg injuries and some 4,800 required medical attention during the race, mostly for cramps and blisters.

But 53-year-old Tsang Kam-yin who collapsed at the Tsing Yi section of the race, remained Monday in critical condition at Princess Margaret Hospital.

The condition of a 32-year-old male half-marathon runner surnamed Chu, who collapsed in Wan Chai and was rushed to Ruttonjee Hospital improved from critical to serious Monday.

Association chairman William Ko said: "With the number of registered runners reaching 40,000 this year, far higher than the 31,000 last year, it was reasonable that the number of injuries was considerably higher.

"But the 4,800 who sought attention along the way represent about 12 percent of the total registered runners which is still a reasonable level for this type of event."

He said medical support for runners was sufficient with 450 medical staff stationed at 11 first aid stations, including four at the finish point.

He denied that the weather and air quality on Sunday were unsuitable for the event.

He said the most favorable season for long-distance running in Hong Kong is from November to February.

"We also closely liaised with the Environmental Protection Department at the start of Sunday's race, but the roadside air pollution index did not exceed the very high level of 100. That's why we continued the race," Ko said.

Ko also said that a cap on the number of registered runners next year will be discussed at the meeting.

Some runners had complained that conditions were so crowded that they were hitting each other's elbows when they reached a bottleneck at the exit of the Western Harbour Tunnel.

"We already tried our best to disperse tens of thousands of athletes, as they started their race at five different times this year," Ko said.

"But we will still review the matter, and the capping of participants will also be reviewed."