Hong Kong Marathon Moved To January To Take Advantage Of Favorable Weather

The 2015 Hong Kong Marathon will be staged on Jan. 25 so "runners can benefit from the generally favourable weather conditions," according to Alvin Sallay of the SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST. The race has been held in February the past three years. This year, 30 runners were taken to the hospital, seven fewer than in '13. In '12, "one man died." Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association Chair Kwan Kee said, "The weather was one of the reasons why we moved the race forward as we hope to get cool and dry conditions, so everyone can feel more comfortable. The other reason is that next year Lunar New Year will be in mid-February and if we were to hold the race around that time, we will not be able to get Victoria Park [finish line] as that venue will be booked for other things like the flower market" (SCMP, 5/26).