Five races not to miss in 2023
The 25th Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon
Standard Chartered Bank has sponsored the Hong Kong Marathon since 1997,
in 2016, the event was upgraded to Gold Label Road Race status by the International Association of Athletics Federations. Having been cancelled due to Covid last year, the marathon returns this year for its 25th season on February 12. The full race is 42km, and there are also half marathon, 10km race, Youth Dash, Family Run, and 3km and 10km wheelchair race categories. Although, unfortunately, it’s too late to enter this year’s race, you can still line the streets to cheer on the runners.
When: February 12
Where: Starting point is Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Hong Kong Disneyland 10K Weekend 2023
The most magical fun run in town returns after a three-year break. The official 10K Weekend at Hong Kong Disneyland will take place on March 18 and 19. Runners of all ages and abilities are invited to don colourful Disney looks for different category races including; Duffy & Friends 3K, Pixar Pals 5K, Marvel Superheroes 10K and Mickey & Friends Kids Races. Routes take iconic areas of the park including red brick road on Main Street, U.S.A., several different lands, and the iconic archway of the Castle of Magical Dreams. Beloved Disney Friends will appear to cheer runners on at several surprise locations. Entry costs $620 and there are only a few days left to sign up with registration closing on January 10.
When: March 18-19
Where: Hong Kong Disneyland, Lantau Island
The Trail Hub’s Valentine’s Day Race
The 9th edition of The Trail Hub’s Valentine’s Day Race will take place on Sunday, February 12. As in previous years, the race starts and finishes at Treasure Island in Pui O. This is a wonderful event for everyone with two distances, “Tough love” 15km and “Easy love” 9km. The races are run in teams of two, open to adults and kids with many categories available: men, women, non-binary, mixed man/woman, mixed man/non-binary, mixed woman/non-binary, as well as daddy and me, mummy and me categories for the 9km. The Trail Hub team is also offering a daycare service for parents who would like to race but don’t have childcare on a Sunday for a minimum donation of $50 per child, and there will be a little beach race for the little ones. Entry is $580 per team until January 14 and $680 thereafter, there’s also a post-run optional brunch at Treasure Island for $100 per person.
When: February 12
Where: Treasure Island in Pui O
Weez Walk 2023
From January 14 until February 19, The Weez Project is inviting Hongkongers to walk or run the Hong Kong Island Coastal Trail to raise funds for suicide prevention and youth mental health. The Weez Project was established by Tony Bruno in 2021 to raise funds for KELY Support Group, a Hong Kong-based nonprofit organisation which aims to equip young people with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities needed to support themselves and each other. The route encompasses Hong Kong Island and takes in 62 kilometres of coastal scenery. Tony completed the walk in 12 hours and 58 minutes, a personal best that will be hard to beat! Entry costs $200 for school teams, $375 for individuals, $1,400 for families and $5,000 for corporate teams with all net profits going to KELY. Last year, more than 700 runners took part raising over $2.1m. This year, the team will be working with TRAILME, a real-time tracking app, to add a new feature for competitive elements.
When: January 14 – February 19
Where: Route is divided into stages with Stage 1 starting at Central Ferry Pier No 8
The 30th Green Power Hike
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, this year The Green Power Hike comes in the unique form of a hybrid event that includes a physical hike and virtual hike. The physical hike takes place on January 14 and the virtual hike takes place from January 16 to February 15. The Green Power Hike focuses on a “Leave-No-Trace” concept with participants encouraged to take their own rubbish away, recycling the rubbish and reducing resource use. A green approach is adopted throughout the planning of the hike with materials reduced and reused as much as possible. During the event day, no disposable cups or bottles are distributed and collection bins are set up for sorting recyclables and fruit peels. The fund raised will be contributed to the environmental education works of Green Power. Enrollment is still open for a minimum donation of $800 for the 10K race and $1,200 for the 25K and the 50K.
When: Physical: January 14, Virtual: January 16 – February 15
Where: Starting point is at The Peak
