The streets of Hong Kong buzzed with excitement this morning as the Hong Kong Marathon 2026 got underway, drawing a large crowd and a host of celebrities to the city.
Among the famous faces participating in the 10km race was veteran actor Chow Yun-fat, who was met with enthusiastic cheers as he crossed the finish line. The 70-year-old, who ran the half-marathon last year, opted for the shorter distance this time around, completing it in 2 hours and 23 seconds.
Chow was joined by fellow actors Nina Paw Hee-ching, Kent Cheng Jak-si, and Lau Kong. He expressed his enjoyment of the race, commenting on the pleasant breeze and sunshine that made for a comfortable run. He emphasized that the main objective was to finish the race and greet the supporters, jokingly stating that their group, with a combined age of several centuries, had "exceeded expectations."
"Lau Kong is our inspiration – he encourages us all to run daily," Chow said, adding that running alongside him was the perfect way to celebrate his 80th birthday.
When asked about the challenging parts of the course, Chow quipped that he preferred walking to running uphill, explaining, "It's not about speed; it's about savoring the experience."
Regarding plans for next year's marathon, he mentioned that it would depend on the organizers' arrangements but expressed his hope for even greater participation in the future.
Also competing in the 10km event was Hong Kong's professional boxer, Rex Tso, also known as "The Wonder Kid," who finished in approximately 39 minutes.
Tso noted that running is an essential component of his boxing training, helping him improve his breathing and build explosive power. He humorously described encountering runners from a previous wave at the turnaround point, comparing it to practicing footwork in boxing.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok and his wife also successfully completed the 10km race. Lam shared his time of 1 hour and 10 minutes on social media.
In his post, he highlighted the strong sense of camaraderie among the thousands of runners, echoing the marathon's theme, "Together, we run further," which he believes should also represent the spirit of Hong Kong.
Earlier in the morning, the Leaders Cup, a 2km run from Wan Chai Sports Ground to Victoria Park, commenced at 7:15 am, attracting over 50 participants from the political and business sectors.
Key figures included Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung, President of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong Wingco Lo Kam-wing, Chairman of Cathay Pacific Airways Limited Patrick Healy, and President of Standard Chartered International Benjamin Hung Pi-cheng.
In his opening remarks, Chan likened life to a marathon – full of highs and lows, but achievable with perseverance, effort, and passion.
He emphasized the Hong Kong Marathon's status as an internationally recognized event that fosters community spirit, stimulates economic activity, and reflects the growing popularity of sports within the local culture.
He also challenged the leaders who participated in this year's Leaders Cup to take on the 10km race next year, urging them to "embrace the marathon spirit."
Following the race, the Financial Secretary took to social media to encourage participants to support local businesses by patronizing the approximately 700 restaurants that were supporting the event.