新鴻基地產中國沿岸馬拉松及半馬拉松2011(西貢北潭涌)
Sun Hung Kai Properties China Coast Marathon
January 16th 2011. Races start at 08:00.
Course:On the service roads at High Island Reservoir. Out and back on Sai Kung Man Yee Road (turn at East dam) and short dog leg on the Sai Kung Sai Wan road for the half. Full repeats this twice with a longer stretch on the Si Kung Sai Wan Road in the first half. Start finish 50 metres inside Pak Tam Chung barrier gate.
Categories in both events:
Men:Open 18-34, senior 35-39, V40, V50, V55, V60, V65, V70+Women: Open 18-34, senior 35-39, V40, V50, V55+
AVOHK is best-known among local runners for this marathon, which was first held in 1981 and won by Ron Hill in a time of 2:34:35. . Ron termed it the toughest marathon he'd run. Well, Ron wouldn't have liked today's course, because it's now even tougher, taking runners to the end of the High Island Reservoir twice. The course includes challenging hills and although the ambient temperature is generally around 18 degrees, the humidity can make it difficult to achieve fast times. It is now run entirely on a WSD service road route within the Sai Kung Country Park, along with a half marathon and the Community Chest's 10km Corporate Challenge. The current course record is 2:38:44 set by Kevin Ball in 1989 which reflects the difficulty of the terrain, a hilly course around Hong Kong's second-largest reservoir.
Despite this the race offers a welcome alternative to the boredom, pollution and lifelessness of the HKAAA's Standard Chartered Marathon and its shorter fun run siblings. The events are organised by runners for runners and AVOHK hope that all participants feel welcome.
Organised alongside the Community Chest's 10K and Half Marathon Corporate Challenge, which raises funds for disadvantaged groups in Hong Kong the China Coast was the first internationally AIMS-certified marathon in Hong Kong . Runners from Hong Kong and overseas return again and again for its friendly atmosphere and finisher souvenirs. There is an entry limit of 3,000 across all the events to ensure all runners have a safe and enjoyable run.
The China Coast Marathon is kindly supported by Sun Hung Kai Properties, their Chairman Thomas Kwok is a regular participant in the half marathon race. Bonaqua sponsor the water for all the events and Bonacticve Sports drink to the marathon runners. This year Natures Village will be our gel and sports nutrition sponsor.
