The inaugural Northern Metropolis-area marathon was held on November 1, with about 15,000 people registered. The full marathon started at 6.30am from Heung Yee Kuk in Shek Mun, Sha Tin, then passed a science-park waterfront promenade, a highway and a tunnel before finishing on Fanling Bypass. The road was being used for a running event for the first time.
The half-marathon ran from the science-park area to the bypass, while the 10-kilometre race took place on the bypass. A 1,600-metre race was held at a sports ground in North District.
Race-day road closures began in phases from 2am, with roads expected to reopen progressively from about 8am. Seven franchised bus routes and two minibus routes were diverted, shortened or suspended until roads reopened. The Fanling highway bus interchange was scheduled to remain closed until about 11am, and the first trains on the East Rail and Tuen Ma lines were brought forward.
Heung Yee Kuk chairman Kenneth Lau Ip-keung said he hoped future races could be held between December and February, when the weather is cooler. He also proposed extending the route towards a technology park, the border area or Shenzhen as the Northern Metropolis develops.
Runners said the heat and the route’s climbs would test their stamina, but they welcomed the chance to see the northern scenery and new-town development.