Some 10,000 runners join HZMB Half Marathon

Some 10,000 runners took part in the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (Hong Kong Section) Half Marathon, which has been upgraded to top-tier Platinum Label for the first time.

A runner who participated in this year's new 10km category sustained injuries and was taken to hospital.

First off the starting line was this year's newly added 10km Challenge category, which set off at 6:15am at the artificial island of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port.

Runners passed through Scenic Hill Tunnel, ran onto the Hong Kong Link Road of the bridge, and then return to cross the finish line near the starting point.

Some runners felt unwell, with one person placed on a stretcher and taken away by ambulance.

Some runners found the course challenging.

The overall men's champion for the 10km race said he thought the return leg would be smooth, but there was some headwind and the road was uneven from side to side.

While women's champion said running before sunrise until the sun came up felt dreamy.

There was also a 2km race this time, which attracted several government officials to participate.

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said he hope everyone runs faster and stronger, just like Hong Kong.

Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin said she has to conserve her energy for the half marathon later.

The half marathon started at 7:15am along with similar route to the 10km category, turning back at the Guangdong-Hong Kong boundary on the bridge.

This year, the half marathon was accredited by World Athletics as a Platinum Label road race, making it the fourth half marathon worldwide to receive the highest tier of certification.

An Ethiopian runner was the first to cross the finish line.

The first local runner to finish was Cheung Yiu-leung, who recently won the Northern Metropolis Marathon.

Cheung said the atmosphere was more exciting this year and that he was satisfied with the result since he has never finish a half marathon within 70 minutes, which he finished in 68 minutes.

Virginia Lo, the top local female finisher in the half marathon, said her form hasn't been the best over the past months and that she treated every race as if it was her last.