History
The race traces its history back to 1981, when it was launched as the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Marathon by the Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association. The route was between Sheung Shui and Shenzhen. The race endured organisational difficulties due to a lack of funding and was not held from 1989 to 1991. After two further editions, the race was again suspended from 1994 to 1996. Standard Chartered Bank stepped in as a title sponsor for the 1997 race and it garnered a field of 1,000 runners. The relaunch of the race saw increased participation from top-level East African runners – the men's race has been won by either a Kenyan or Ethiopian runner for all but two years from 1997 to 2012.
The 1998 marathon established a new course, starting at Tsing Ma Bridge and ending at the newly-finished Hong Kong International Airport on Chek Lap Kok. The total entrants increased to 6,000 participants. For 1999, the race was moved to urban areas for the first time, starting in Central, ending at Sham Shui Po Sports Ground, with 7,000 participants. The route was altered again in 2000, as it started from Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui, and ended at the Sham Shui Po Sports Ground. The half-marathon was added, alongside with the already-existing full marathon and 10 km race.
In 2001 the number of participants exceeded 10,000. The race course started from Nathan Road, then out to West Kowloon, onto West Kowloon Highway, followed by Cheung Tsing Tunnel, Tsing Ma Bridge, Ting Kau Bridge, then going all the way back into Western Harbour Crossing, ending at Golden Bauhina Plaza in Wan Chai North.
The race was incorporated as one of the four legs of the Standard Chartered-sponsored Greatest Race on Earth in 2005.
In 2006 the marathon was held on 12 February, with a prize fund of US$100,000. Almost 40,000 joined the Marathon. Two fainted during the race and one died on 14 February, resulting in the competition's first fatality. Reflecting this, first-aid services were introduced for the 2007 edition, but weather conditions seriously affected the runners. A record-breaking number of 6249 participants took part, 16.7% of whom experienced injury. Hot weather sent 35 participants to hospital, including one young runner who died.
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