Bib blunder unfortunate blip in 'ideal' HK Marathon

Cheng Wong

Three mainland runners who would have finished in the top rungs of their categories were disqualified yesterday for wearing incorrect bib numbers - an unfortunate blip in an otherwise "ideal" staging of the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon.

Kwan Kee, chairman of the Hong Kong, China Association of Athletics Affiliates, said the weather, atmosphere and attendance - some 70,000 participated - were "ideal."

Some runners described the cold weather as part of "perfect conditions" for chasing their personal best.

Dennis Ng Yu-ho, executive director of the HKAAA, said post-race verification revealed that "some" runners wore bib numbers that did not match their identities.

"The disqualified athletes are all from the same running team and managed by the same agent. We provided the bib numbers and athlete bags to that agent," Ng said.

"We need to investigate to understand how the mix-up occurred."

Those disqualified were half-marathon runners He Yingbing and Sun Xiaoyang and men's 10-kilometer competitor Lan Jiehuai.

He and Sun topped the half-marathon but, after their disqualification, local Vincent Lam was declared the winner.

In the men's 10km challenge, Lan finished second but gave up the honor to Hong Kong triathlete Wong Tsz-to.

Kwan said this year's event had 74,000 spots available, including 15,000 for nonlocal participants. He said the temperature in the morning was 14 degrees Celsius - the coldest Standard Chartered Marathon start in the past two decades. Humidity was around 40 percent.

He also highlighted the upcoming opening of the Kai Tak Sports Park on March 1 and said they are studying the feasibility of hosting events there.

Celebrity Chow Yun-fat, 69, made his second attempt at the half-marathon and expressed hope the finish line would be at the Kai Tak Sports Park some day.

A runner named Law, aged over 60, who won third place in the men's advanced category of the 10km race, said the weather was ideal for running. A half-marathon participant, Lee, described the conditions as "absolutely perfect," saying he hardly broke a sweat during the race.

Kenyan runners swept the top three spots in the men's marathon. A Belarussian topped the women's marathon, followed by two Ethiopians.

In the women's half-marathon challenge, Hong Kong's Christy Yiu Kit-ching finished first, setting a local record with a time of one hour, 15 minutes and nine seconds.

Lam Kin-kwan, the event's medical director, said that by 11am more than 900 runners were treated, primarily for minor issues such as abrasions, sprains and muscle cramps.

Around 27 runners were reported to have been sent to hospitals, including five in serious condition.

cheng.wong@singtaonewscorp.com