Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon (12.02.2019)

https://dyisstillrunning.blogspot.com/2019/02/35-standard-chartered-hong-kong.html

Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon (16.02.2014)

 

Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon (24.02.2013)

Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon (24.02.2013)

Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2012

My certificate arrived in the mail today. HK marathon is the only marathon I know that issues an Achievement Certificate as well as a Progress Certificate if one has improved over last year's timing. I always feel that this is a good touch and local race organisers should really consider doing the same!

Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon (05.02.2012)

This is my 14th marathon and my third time running this marathon. This is also a very significant marathon for me as this will be the last marathon before I turn 40 on 06.02.2012.

As usual, this trip to HK did not disappoint. Other than the run itself, the highlight of the trip was food and more food! Somehow the thought of burning all the calories during the run took away all the guilt. I even managed my best timing achieved in HK. This trip was made with great friends and I am so glad that all of us completed the race safely. Friends say that we are mad flying in on Saturday and flying back Sunday night. But the trouble that we took to make this trip possible made the trip more enjoyable and memorable :)

To top it all, I came home at 1am to a birthday cake my wife baked :-)

Pleasant surprise from HK Marathon

Had a pleasant surprise from the organisers of the HK Marathon. I actually received a "Progress Award Certificate" on top of the normal finisher's certificate from the race organisers.

I think this is a nice touch which local organisers can consider.

Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2011 (20.02.2011)

Just back from my first race for the year. This race was special to me as it marked the completion of my 10th full marathon since I started marathoning in 2008. What better way to commemorate this milestone than to do it in Hong Kong? Another highlight of this marathon was the fact that this was the coldest marathon I have ever attempted. Apparently, it was as cold as 12 to 13 degrees Celsius. As someone from the tropics, this was indeed a fantastic experience. Initially, I was very concerned about the cold temperature as I arrived in Hong Kong not prepared physically as well as psychologically for the cold. Some last minute shopping for weather appropriate running gear helped tremendously. I bought a long sleeved running T and on race day, I wore 2 layers of T-shirts.

The actual experience of running in the cold proved to be very positive. It was indeed very comfortable and I really enjoyed the cool air. This was also the first marathon that I ran in a pair of full length compression tights. The compression tights served me well as it protected me from the cold as well as provided enough support for my leg muscles. This is the first marathon that I completed absolutely pain free. I was really surprised.

The route was exactly the same as last year's and this year, I was mentally better prepared for the elevation of the route. I improved by about 15 mins from last year's timing completing the race in 4:47. I am happy with this timing =)

Other than the race, the company and food that went along with the race was fantastic... All of us, completed the race well.

This race will indeed be a highlight for me should my friends and I decide to do this race again.

My Hong Kong Marathon Certificate Arrived!

My Hong Kong Marathon Certificate finally arrived. This certificate is more detailed than the ones we are used to in Singapore.

Although I was off my personal best by more than half an hour for this marathon, this is one marathon that I am most proud of. This is because of the sheer difficulty of the course (at least to me). I have already written about the route/course in my earlier post. Well, now we have the statistics to illustrate what I mean.

My 10km and 21km timings were decent. Comparable to my usual timings. Things became more interesting in the 3rd and 4th quarter of the race. I really slowed down starting from the 3rd quarter as I was plagued by cramps due to the numerous slopes I had to overcome. I took 1 hr 44 mins to complete my last 12.195km using the run-walk method. I am glad that I am not alone thinking that this course was a killer. This review from Marathonguide.com shared the same view.

Nonetheless, it was truly a memorable (albeit painful) race, something that I will seriously consider attempting again.

Next Race: Passion Run 25km, followed by Sundown Marathon (FM) and SCKLM (FM)

Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2010 (28 Feb 2010)

This is my first post for 2010 and it is about my second overseas marathon!

This must have been the toughest marathon I have ever done!

According to HK local papers more than 55 people were hospitalized for heat related injuries with 3 people in critical condition. Personally, I saw a Caucasian man lying on the street side with medics attending to him using a defibrillator. Scary!

Throughout the course, it was slopes galore! Well, the picture (left) from a local HK newspaper aptly showed what I meant. This picture was taken near the end of the course.

The elevation of the course was crazy! The chart below shows the Course Elevation.

The course climbed up to over 80m above sea level at Stonecutters Bridge and Ting Kau Bridge and went below 30m below sea level at the Western Harbour Tunnel near the finishing point. Therefore, throughout the course, I would have climbed up and down over 100m! Unlike Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon which might have been one of the flattest marathon courses in the world.

Climbing up and down slopes along the course caused me to cramp as early as 25km into the marathon. I had to resort to run-walk method to complete the race. The weather and pollution was something that I needed to get used to too. There was also an added pressure from the race organizers imposing cut-off timings at various points of the course and those not meeting the cut-off time will be ushered up double-decker buses awaiting at the various points. There were plenty of double-decker buses and I was determined not to board them!

I also chanced upon this review of the marathon from marathonguide.com that echoes the same view as I concerning the course.

Another thing that upset me at the beginning of the race was that my GPS watch failed to function. Therefore, I could not get readings of the pace I was doing and the distance I have covered. This affected my pacing as I needed depend on intuition.

I was very happy that my friend and I completed the race before the official cut-off of 5:30. I completed the course in about 5:03 (Net Time).

 

I wonder if I have to courage to come back next year... We'll see...

Next Race: NE Run

Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2010

A few weeks ago, I did something that was really crazy!

I actually signed up for Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2010 (28 Feb) without knowing whether my schedule (and the various "authorities") will allow me to make the trip to Hong Kong in the first place.

I figured I better "chope" a place first. At least I am assured of a place if the stars and moon come in alignment and I am able to go. Anyway, if I do get to go, this will be my second overseas marathon!