Marathon runners can start undergoing Covid-19 tests from Thursday

Participants in the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon can undergo Covid-19 tests and collect their runner’s pack from Thursday. 

The marathon, scrapped last year due to the pandemic, will resume this Sunday. 

Organizers will limit the number of runners as an anti-epidemic precaution. The number of runners will drop drastically to 18,500 from 74,000 in 2019. 

Selected runners will have to be fully vaccinated, and get nucleic acid test reports twice – two weeks and 72 hours before the marathon.

They are also required to submit proof of vaccination and a health declaration form when collecting their runners' packs, confirming they have not been outside Hong Kong in the past 21 days.

The starting point of this year's 10-kilometer race will be moved to the Western Harbour Crossing toll plaza.

The starting point of the 42km full and 21km half-marathon this year will follow that of 2019 -- Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui -- according to a document from the Hong Kong Association of Athletics Affiliates to the district council.

The ending point of the three races will be at Victoria Park, as in 2019.

All three races will cover Argyle Street, West Kowloon Highway, Stonecutters Bridge, Nam Wan Tunnel, Cheung Tsing Tunnel, Tsing Kwai Highway, Western Harbour Tunnel, Connaught Road West Flyover and Hennessy Road.

Organizers will cancel the 10km and 3km Wheelchair Races, as well as the Youth Dash this year, citing the slopes in Central and Sheung Wan.