Positive vibes all around for bridge race

Wallis Wang and Ayra Wang

Nearly 8,000 runners participated in a half-marathon on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge yesterday, with many praising the improved support facilities.

Among the participants, about 1,600 came from overseas or the mainland, as the administration hoped the event could boost the local economy.

Some 19 people were injured, among whom three were sent to the hospital, after having fallen or due to cramps or dizziness.

Ethiopian runner Milkesa Mengesha Tolosa and Kenya's Grace Loibach Nawowuna won gold medals in the men's and women's categories, respectively.

The fastest local runner, Chong See-yeung, who ranked eighth in the men's category said: "Support facilities improved from last year, with more portable toilets. The organizer also put on a nonslip mat in connection areas on the bridge so we didn't have to step on them."

Many runners complained about the lack of toilets last year, prompting the organizer to set up 130 portable toilets along the racing track, including 70 at the starting and finishing points yesterday.

Many praised the improvement, with local runner Chan saying they no longer had to queue for toilets.

Many mainland runners said they loved the scenic views from the bridge and enjoyed watching planes take off and descend.

Some of them had also gone sightseeing and shopping earlier, with one spending more than HK$10,000 on medicines in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Several senior government officials and lawmakers joined a two-kilometer honorary race, including Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok and Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung.

Law said the event was "half sports and half tourism" and that the Hong Kong, China Association of Athletics Affiliates plans to invite more tourists for such events.

"Besides overseas elite athletes, the HKAAA told me that they are considering attracting tourist participants for similar races who we believe will stay overnight and spend in Hong Kong," she said.

Lam, who joined the race along with his wife, posted on Facebook that the experience was "very good."

He added: "The event demonstrated the positive energy of Hongkongers and the city's ability to skillfully use its unique environment to host international sports events."

Tang also posted on Facebook, saying the views from the bridge were enjoyable "with natural scenery and grand architecture." .

He added that the event rekindled his motivation to run.