Hong Kong Marathon full to bursting, even if new Wan Chai route is approved

Organisers of the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon will push for all of Hennessy Road to be opened for next year's event, but the ceiling of 73,000 entries is unlikely to be raised.

Runners yesterday spoke overwhelmingly in favour of the slight change to this year's finish, a more spectator-friendly route along Hennessy Road and Yee Wo Street in Causeway Bay.

"More than 84 per cent of the runners said the new finish is better than before," said William Ko Wai-lam, chairman of the organising committee, after polling participants in Victoria Park. "The road is wider with more fresh air and there are also more fans who can come out."

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Meanwhile, two runners, aged 24 and 49, were in critical condition last night at Eastern Hospital and Yan Chai Hospital. One fainted and suffered a head injury in Causeway Bay, while the other fell sick as he was making it across Tsing Ma Bridge. Organisers said 40 runners had to be hospitalised, up from 30 last year.

Ko said they would study the possibility of expanding the Hennessy Road route from Admiralty to Causeway Bay.

"Hennessy Road goes through the heart of Wan Chai and more supporters will be able to enjoy the race if we can use this route," he said. "But this is a quite a big change and we have to seek the support of police and district councils.

"On one hand, we are working for the interests of the runners, but we also have to balance the interests of other road users."