Next marathon may run up $37m in fees

The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon could earn up to HK$37 million in registration fees if it is allowed to return to the prepandemic quota of up to 74,000 runners in the next race planned for November 19.

The executive director of the Hong Kong Association of Athletics Affiliates, Dennis Ng Yu-ho, said yesterday more than 35,600 runners was a record of 94 percent in the first full-scale event in four years on Sunday.

Ng also revealed that the HKAAA is planning to host the next race on November 19 with a field of more than 37,000, the first time two events would be held in the same year.

"I hope more runners from overseas will be able to participate and help the marathon take another step toward a full recovery, toward an international marathon."

Sunday's marathon attracted 500 overseas runners, including a line-up of 13 elite contestants, said the association.

Ng added that the association is mulling a route adjustment in two to three years after talks with the Kai Tak Sports Park, which is set to open as early as 2024.

The 2019 marathon - the city's last full-scale race - had an enrollment of 74,000, with entry fees at HK$450, HK$400 and HK$360 for the full marathon, half marathon and 10km races.

That would mean it received about HK$29.4 million in entry fees.

If fees remain frozen at this year's levels of HK$600, HK$520, and HK$420 for the three races with a field of 74,000 runners, the marathon could rake in about HK$37 million.

The association also said it may file a police report on the unauthorized participation of a runner and influencer Carriage Lau, who completed the race and took home a medal without registering for the event.

The runner, whose real name is Lau Chun-hin, said he got his race bib from a friend who asked him to race on his behalf as he was unable to attend on the race day.