Just as tens of thousands of participants in the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon were about to get set and go at the starting line yesterday, the giant inflatable arch marking the start of the marathon collapsed on their heads.
Organisers were forced to delay proceedings by five minutes, hoisting the arch over their heads and get it back to its proper shape. This year, a record 64,000 runners took to the streets for the Hong Kong Marathon, and organisers handed out a total of 110,000 bananas and 117,500 energy bars. Thankfully, no one was treated for anything more serious other than cramps, muscle strains, and dehydration — unlike last year, where one man died.
In addition, thousands of runners also sported blue ribbons handed out by the Hong Kong Journalists Association to support press freedom, in light of the sacking of Commercial Radio host Li Wei-ling.
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Hong Kong marathon runners not prepared enough
Source: SCMP
Photo: Tommy Wong, Flickr
