Erin Chan

Around 14,800 of 18,500 runners had signed up online to take Covid-19 tests and collect their runner's pack ahead of the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon this Sunday, organizers said.

The event, last held on February 17, 2019, was scrapped last year due to the pandemic.

The deadline for registering for both arrangements is 11.59pm tomorrow. Runners can take the tests and collect their packs at Victoria Park on Thursday and Friday, from 11am to 8pm, or on Saturday, from 9am to 4pm.

They are required to submit proof of vaccination, a health declaration form as well as ID and QR codes of two confirmation e-mails at the park.

Meanwhile, they will be given a green wristband to prove they have taken the tests.

"The wristbands can only be taken off at the end of the event," Hong Kong Association of Athletics Affiliates executive director Dennis Ng Yu-ho said.

On their anti-epidemic measures, he said recycling bins for mask disposal would be placed some 50 to 100 meters away from the starting line. Ng added that new masks would be distributed to runners after they cross the finish line.

Runners are also reminded to make good use of the baggage services at the park.

The event's organizing committee chairman William Ko Wai-lam said around 650 paramedic personnel as well as 11 ambulances and emergency vehicles would be dispatched along the routes.

When asked if runners could wear slogans deemed as a breach of the national security law, Ko said it may not be a problem in the case of some slogans like "add oil Hong Kong."

But Ko said that slogans such as "liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times" was "out of the organizers' jurisdiction."

The Transport Department said road closures and traffic diversions would be conducted in phases across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories starting from 11.30pm on Saturday.

The West Harbour Crossing's Hong Kong-bound lane will also be temporarily closed from 12.45am on Sunday.

But the road closures would not affect vehicles from Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and New Territories East heading for the Hong Kong International Airport and Lantau Island.

They added that around 230 bus routes and 40 green minibus routes will be diverted, truncated or suspended in phases from 11.15pm on Saturday.

The marathon returns after being scrapped last year.

William Ko, left, and Dennis Ng

Testing time for marathoners