Runners praise first Northern Metropolis Marathon, though route, heat made it tough

The inaugural Heung Yee Kuk Northern Metropolis Marathon drew praise from elite and international runners for its novel route along the newly opened Fanling Bypass, even as unseasonal morning heat, rolling slopes and initial logistical hiccups pushed competitors to their limits. Concluding at midday on Sunday, the race drew roughly 15,000 mostly local entrants, with Hong Kong runners sweeping top honours across almost all divisions except the men's half-marathon, which was won by a competitor from the mainland. The full marathon flagged off around 6.30am from the Heung Yee Kuk Building in Shek Mun in Sha Tin, and took runners along the Science Park, Lam Tsuen River and through the Lung Shan Tunnel before finishing on the Fanling Bypass, offering participants an unprecedented view of Hong Kong's emerging northern development hub. Clocking two hours 33 minutes and 18 seconds, Cheung Yiu-leung was the first runner to cross the full-marathon finish line, and later said that racing along the newly minted bypass held deep personal significance. 'I used to live in Fanling and ran along the Ng Tung River for a decade, so the changes felt very profound,' Cheung said,noting that the company where he had worked for more than a decade had been relocated to accommodate the bypass project. 'When I reached around the 41km mark on the bypass, I knew my old office was right underneath.' Despite his familiarity with the district, Cheung found the course unexpectedly gruelling, pointing to steep inclines entering the Lung Shan Tunnel, bridge crossings and uneven pavement surfaces. He also highlighted shortfalls at aid stations. 'The water stations could be longer,' Cheung said. 'There were only about four tables, and once you ran past, you missed your chance to drink. When you tried to grab cups without stopping, the water would spill.' Marathon veteran Chan Ka-ho, who finished fourth overall in 2:46.50, echoed concerns over the demanding course, particularly as competitors emerged from the tunnel into the late-morning glare and village roads. 'You rarely get to run inside a tunnel for eight to nine kilometres, and fortunately it wasn't too stuffy,' Chan said. 'It might not be a fast course, but having a new route to explore and run through the bypass and villages is a great feeling.' Chan also flagged post-race logistical arrangements, pointing to the 10-minute walk required to reach the baggage retrieval area from the finish line. Women's half-marathon champion Wong Cheuk-ning, who crossed the line in 1:25.33, reinforced the assessment of the challenging terrain, observing that an initially flat profile gave way to a punishing second half. 'The second half had a lot of challenges, hairpin bends, wave-shaped speed baffles on cycling paths, footbridges and underpasses,' Wong said. 'There were a lot of hidden inclines and declines.' Wong also called for clearer signage at hydration stations, explaining that indistinct cup labels made it difficult to tell water from electrolyte drinks while running at speed. In contrast to the rolling elevation faced by long-distance runners, 10km competitors enjoyed a wide, uninterrupted racing strip. Chow Ho-long, who clinched the men's 10km title in 32 minutes and 51 seconds, welcomed the uninterrupted tarmac. 'It felt like driving because the whole race was on open road,' Chow, an Asics athlete and coach, said. Hong Kong's Wong Mei-po won the women's full marathon in 3:16.08, while mainland runner Sun Zhiqiang secured the men's half-marathon title in 1:12.51. The women's 10km crown went to local athlete Wong Cho-sum, who clocked 38:44. Overseas contenders also found the conditions formidable amid the mounting midday heat and undulating terrain. Kenyan runner Peniel Jerop, who travelled from Kenya with her husband to compete in her first full marathon in the city to 'nurture my talent' and vie for prize money, finished third in the women's field in roughly 3:15.00, well short of her expectations. 'My time was poor because the weather was too hot, and the road was so challenging with all the hills,' said Jerop, admitting disappointment at securing only a 'small amount of money' for a third-place finish. 'The views in Hong Kong are good, but weather is also a challenge.' Bodhi Guha, 46, an Indian expatriate working at HSBC who has lived in Hong Kong for 15 years, praised the scenic views along the harbour and water corridors after clocking a personal best of around 1:49.00 in the half-marathon, but suggested an earlier start time. 'Because it's late October, it's still quite hot,' Guha said. 'Starting a bit earlier would make the weather much better for running.' Safety had been a top concern heading into Sunday following several fatal dog attacks in Ta Kwu Ling and Yuen Long in recent months, but trackside marshals successfully eliminated any threats. 'I am terrified of dogs, but I really didn't see any,' said Cheung Ka-yee, who won the women's 40-plus Master 1 division in the half-marathon in around 1:31.00. 'Compared to other races I've done, there were far more marshals stationed along the route.' Yau Kam-ho, 62, who placed fourth in the Evergreen category of the 10km race in 56 minutes, also commended the absence of stray dogs, but stressed that pre-race facilities required urgent attention. 'There were far too few toilets at the start,' she said. 'I had to hold it in and endure it for the entire 10km.'