North District Marathon to debut Sunday with 15,000 runners, new route
The North District Marathon, organised by the Heung Yee Kuk, will be held on Sunday with about 15,000 participants. The full marathon starts at the Heung Yee Kuk building in Shek Mun and ends at Fanling Bypass, which is opened for a running event for the first time.
The North District Marathon, organised by the Heung Yee Kuk, will be held on Sunday with about 15,000 participants. The event features full marathon, half marathon, 10km and 1,600m races.
Heung Yee Kuk chairman Lau Ying-keung described the Northern Territory as the top priority for Hong Kong's future development. He called the marathon a new trial and expressed hope that it could become an annual event, with routes adjusted to follow the development of the area, serving as a "bright name card" for the North District.
The full marathon starts at the Heung Yee Kuk building in Shek Mun, Sha Tin, and passes through the Hong Kong Science Park waterfront promenade, Tolo Highway and Lung Shan Tunnel before finishing at Fanling Bypass, which is opened for a running event for the first time. The half marathon runs from Hong Kong Science Park to Fanling Bypass.
Event organisers said they have sent notices to animal shelters near the route to control dogs, and will send staff to inspect the course in the days before the race.
Traffic arrangements include phased road closures and diversions from 2am on Sunday. Affected bus routes and public services will be adjusted. The first trains on the East Rail Line between Hung Hom and Sheung Shui, and on the Tuen Ma Line between Tai Wai and Wu Kai Sha, will start from 4.20am in phases. Police urged the public to plan journeys in advance, use public transport, and avoid using private cars for pick-ups near the finish line.
