Runner dies after collapsing at MTR station

A 30-year-old runner died after taking part in the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, which attracted 74,000 runners yesterday.

Half-marathon runner Zhang Zhichong from the mainland collapsed at Tin Hau MTR station at about 1.15pm, about two hours after he finished the race.

He was rushed to Ruttonjee Hospital but certified dead soon after. It is understood Zhang did not suffer from a chronic illness, but his heart had stopped when he was found collapsed at the station.

Medics performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation and used a defibrillator in the ambulance. Upon arrival at the Ruttonjee emergency room Zhang was intubated but did not survive.

Organizer the Hong Kong, China Association of Athletics Affiliates expressed deep sorrow over the death and has contacted his family to provide assistance.

It said 842 runners had been hurt or otherwise suffered, with 34 sent to public hospitals. One was in critical condition last night while four were serious and 20 stable.

Another male runner in the 10-kilometer race collapsed near the finish line and had a cardiac arrest, but his condition improved after being sent to hospital.

Most injured runners had scrapes, sprains or muscle cramps.

Four other runners have died in the last 10 marathons, including a 26-year-old local construction clerk after finishing the half-marathon in 2012, a 24-year-old trainee male engineer who died from a heart attack during the 10km race in 2015, a 52-year-old female who finished the 10km race in 2017, and a 50-year-old male teacher in 2018 who died four days after finishing the 10km race.

The first batch of 10km runners yesterday started at 5.40am at the Island Eastern Corridor near Central-Wan Chai Bypass - with Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu officiating - and finished at Victoria Park.

Lee said he was thrilled to see the vitality of local and foreign runners.

"These events not only initiate a happy atmosphere for Hongkongers, but also attract foreign visitors and promote economic development," he said.

Runners in the 21km half-marathon also started at 5.40am - on Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui - and ran through the Western Harbour Crossing before finishing at Victoria Park.

The 42km marathon group set off at 6am on a route across the city through major road sections. They ran from Nathan Road to Tsing Y, before circling back to the other side of Victoria Harbour through the Western Harbour Tunnel.

It is understood about one-tenth of runners this year were from the mainland and overseas.

Many runners found the weather cool and dry before the temperature fell to 15 degrees Celsius - ideal for a marathon.

Female runner Choi said: "The weather was very good and suitable for running. I practice regularly and had trained hard."

Kenya's Anderson Seroi was crowned the champion after completing the marathon in two hours, 12 minutes and 50 seconds. Medina Armino from Ethiopia was the first female across the line in two hours, 28 minutes and 47 seconds.

"This competition had many challenges but I gave it my all," Seroi said. "I'm happy to have won and I hope to come back to Hong Kong to defend my title."

Organizing chaiman Kwan Kee said 446 marathon runners could qualify for a HK$10,000 award - double the number from last year - after they completed the full course in under three hours for males and 3.5 hours for females.

Local runner Wong Wan-chun completed the race in two hours, 23 minutes, and 23 seconds, to top the local men's group. He said the marathon was long and difficult, but it was worth the challenge.

"Before knowing how to win you must learn how to lose," Wong, 27, said.

"I came in second place twice to pay my dues and I finally took first place this year."

Christy Yiu Kit-ching was the fastest local female runner, crossing the line in two hours, 41 minutes and nine seconds. She made her second appearance in the marathon - after giving birth.

"I am not even close to my personal best," Yiu said. "I was hoping to finish within two hours and 40 minutes."

In the half-marathon 30-year-old Sun Xiaoyang from Beijing earned first place in the men's group in one hour, eight minutes and six seconds, while local Hilda Choi Yan-yin won the women's title in one hour, 21 minutes and one second.

"It was my first time running in the Hong Kong marathon," Sun said.

"The weather was great and everything aligned perfectly. I am so happy to be able to challenge myself."

Chen Yufan, also from Beijing and another first-timer, won in the men's 10km race in 30 minutes and 58 seconds, while local runner Tsang Hiu-tung was best female runner in 36 minutes and 46 seconds.

adelyn.lau@singtaonewscorp.com