Runner who died was a mainland engineer talent

A runner who tragically passed away during the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon on Sunday was a 30-year-old mainland engineer who had relocated to Hong Kong two years ago.

Zhang Zhichong, a China State Construction Engineering employee, was about to meet friends for lunch in Yau Ma Tei when he collapsed.

China State Construction Engineering expressed its condolences and said it would keep in close contact with Zhang's family to offer assistance and support.

Zhang, who hailed from Hainan, had arrived through the admission scheme for mainland talents and professionals in 2022.

He had participated in the 21-kilometer half-marathon before he collapsed at Tin Hau MTR station around noon. Station staff, noticing Zhang sitting on the floor of the platform for Kennedy Town-bound trains, offered assistance, but were told he was fine and just needed a rest.

However, his condition quickly deteriorated, and a call was made for an ambulance and to the police at 12.12 pm, and Zhang was rushed to Ruttonjee Hospital.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and a defibrillator was used along the way. He was declared dead at the hospital.

Marathon organizer Hong Kong, China Association of Athletics Affiliates expressed its condolences to Zhang's family over his passing, which occurred approximately two hours after his race.

It said a total of 842 runners suffered injuries or other health issues, with 34 being sent to hospitals.

Zhang is believed to have had a cardiac issue, which doctors have indicated is unusual for someone of his age and may be due to an underlying or undetected condition.

Axel Siu Yuet-chung, head of the Hospital Authority's central coordinating committee of accident and emergency, said conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, problems with the cardiac conduction system, or long QT syndrome could lead to such incidents.

"Generally speaking, the risk is higher during intense exercise. However, it is not guaranteed that such an incident won't occur after running," he added.

Siu advised athletes to rest for 15 to 30 minutes after a race, be mindful of rapid heartbeats or chest discomfort and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms persist.