Hong Kong 10K Championships set for January as Covid-19 restrictions ease, organisers pushing for 3,000 runners
- Organisers ‘positive sporting events are ready to resume normal operation’ after taking heart from snooker Masters and rugby Sevens
- ‘We are in talks with the government, and we are hoping they will lift the 500-runner restriction,’ athletics chairman Kwan Kee says
Organisers of the Hong Kong 10K Championships aim to revive their event for January after it was cancelled in August over last-minute Covid-19 restrictions, with plans for 3,000 runners to compete.
The success of the snooker Hong Kong Masters – as well as the loosening of pandemic measures for the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens next week, with fans allowed to eat and drink in the stadium – have convinced officials the Sun Hung Kai Properties 10K can now go ahead without a hitch.
They previously fell foul of the government’s insistence – just days before the event – that the number of runners taking part be capped at 500, because of Covid-19 risks.
All 1,500 slots had already been filled, and organisers were left with little option but to cancel the event.
“We are now in talks with the government, and we are hoping they will lift the 500-runner restriction,” Hong Kong Association of Athletics Affiliates (HKAAA) chairman Kwan Kee said.
“Snooker gave us a good example for holding a huge event in a stadium. The favourable reaction suggests that sporting events are ready to resume normal operation.
“We can see the measures for the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens becoming more relaxed, so we are positive about our 10K.”
Kwan, who was speaking at a prize presentation for the city’s youth athletes, said that he expects to get the go-ahead from the government in the next few weeks, in time for runners to register for the January 8 race.
