This is my second entry to Hong Kong SC Marathon. Logistics was well organized this year. Baggage handling was efficient and there are plenty of drink stations and first aid post along the course.

For areas of improvement, the game is not so friendly for slow runners like me who struggles to finish within 5 hours. Water station started to close up around the 28KM-35KM area before the time limit; people started removing the mileage marks and this is a bit discouraging. Western Harbour tunnel was even closed when you reached there before the 4:10 time limit. I believe the tunnel was closed much earlier as there was already a bigger crowd who couldn't pass when I reached the tunnel point. I hope the arrangement could pay more respect to the Runners' Guide. The ending undulation is unnecessary. I would love it better had the finish line been on Kowloon side. Last year's small-size chocolate bars were just right, wheareas this year's was too big and a lot was wasted. Lastly the helicopter waving banner along Victoria Harbour is spectacular.

This was my second Hong Kong Marathon. Despite the critics in newspapers, the organization was very good, the best organised of all marathons I have run so far. Some people would like to make the marathon more fan friendly by rerouting the next marathon into town. But how about the air pollution, which took part of the critics? Air pollution in townparts like Causeway Bay is so much worse. The preparation of the runners and the many injuries (regrettably also the death of one) are out of control of the organization, but maybe the organization could set up a campaign to warn the runners of a marathon being a serious matter and to prepare well on a long-term base. A medical certificate should also be required for all runners. People should not join a marathon just for the start among several thousand people. In other marathons I joined, more than 90% of the starting runners are arriving. In Hong Kong this is only about 55%. The course is difficult because of the hills, but it gives the marathon some character. The most difficult part is not running out of the Harbour Tunnel (the 37-38KM mark), but the number of very steep hills between 38 and 41 KM. I would advise saving some energy for this. I'll be back for this.

This was my first marathon. The atmosphere at the start was amazing! The course itself is not so hot....

It is mainly on bridges and through tunnels and so is quite tough and lonely. It is quite windy too, and the pollution (that I felt through the last tunnel) did not help. Spectators are non-existent and ending running through the city traffic, with no one paying attention, is disheartening.

I would do it again only to beat my time (I was slowed due to injury). After that, due to the lack of any crowd support and continuous tunnels, bridges and flyovers, I may steer clear. This is a course for those who enjoy the challenge, not the crowd.

But my hat's of to the volunteers and organization. They were brilliant and well needed with no spectators along the way. Water points, toilets, KM markers and first aid are frequent and well stocked/manned.

If the course allowed spectators, this could be an amazing race!

Standard Chartered does a great job organizationally: every KM marked (a rarity in Asia), drink stations every 2 KM with plenty of volunteers and cheerleaders and helpful guides on getting there and getting back. Unfortunately, what Standard Chartered cannot control was embarrassingly bad this year: 1) record pollution levels sent over 20 runners to the hospital this year, including one person who actually died this morning after collapsing during the race; 2) a hilly course (HK proudly states it is "one of the world's toughest marathons"; 3) gusty headwinds that took even the elite (including a past Chicago and a past LA winner) into the 2:15-2:20 range on their times; and 4) a course in which spectators are allowed on only 200 M (and not at the finish line) - much of it is concrete, including on bridges and in 2 KM+ tunnels. This is a world-class city that deserves better.

I ran my first marathon in Singapore, and this is my 2nd in Hong Kong as a foreign participant. I came in on Thursday night, and picked up the runners' kit on Saturday. It was fairly easy.

That morning, the 21-KM started off at 7:25 a.m. I was among the front lines, so didn't experience any crowded situation some runners in the early post have gone through. The first 10-12 KM were a breeze. Along the way, many water stations, mobile toilets and first aid posts were all well positioned at strategic distances. They even gave out sports drinks and sponges, which we didn't get in Singapore.

The western tunnel is the longest I've ever run in - and also the most anticipated. Many friends have warned me about it. It was really windy and cold inside, where I constantly tried to get myself shielded from the runners before me. It felt like a long time before I saw the light at end of tunnel, literally! It was not as steep as I had expected, but the undulation and few slopes on subsequent highways were tough.

All in all, I thought it was good organization. Great if they give out oranges and have a pasta carnival post-marathon!

I ran the Hong Kong marathon in 2003 which was my very first marathon ever. Now I ran 7 marathons and I think the Hong Kong marathon is well organized with a lot of first aid people. Though the start was a bit messy as the half marathon runners started at the same time as the full marathonrunners. Only distilled water was provided until the 30 km mark. From the 35 km mark you could get bananas and chocolate bars. I see that for the 2006 marathon the half marathon runners have a different departing time, so the start should be less messy. I enrolled for this edition and I'm looking forward to run this marathon again!

It may have been another record crowd but it was also another wet, wild and windy run, and if nature has its way again next year, that's all this marathon will be known for and that will be a shame.

With increased numbers, the marathoners departed by themselves at 8am. Still a bit of a tight squeeze for the first 3km and still cups on the first water station flying in all directions, so it's the same old, same old. As this was my 3rd marathon, I've gotten used to it.

First 10km cloudy, light winds and the highways' high fence barriers afforded some wind protection. Seventy-five minutes into the run and out in the open, wind and rain came in various strengths and remained that way for the next 4 hours. As most of the run is on a closed highway, supporters except for on the last 2km were non-existent, but with large numbers of runners, supporters weren't really needed, but I did notice that the female volunteers were more vocal than their male counterparts.

Reached the 21km mark in my standard 2 hours and never saw a single banana or chocolate bar before or after it (and that would have applied to all the runners with and after me - and there were hundreds).
Come onm organizers, with record numbers and a lot more money in the bank, surely you could get the banana and chocolate figures right.

Thirty-five km mark reached the western harbour tunnel crossing. Winds were so strong that one could still feel it 400m inside it and 400m before exiting it. Last 4 km undulating (just what I didn't need).
At the finish line, the timing chip was collected.
Lots of chocolates, warm bananas and baggage collection were all done under shelter. A big improvement from last year.

Receiving the finisher's medal I feel should occur when crossing the finishing line, as it has more meaning than recieving it when picking up your bib number one or two days before the race.

One point which stuck out for me at the fruit and baggage collection was that friends and family members were lining up with the runners, which made the line and wait a little longer. Perhaps if organizers can ensure that only runners line up...

Generally the run was well organized, plenty of water stations before, during and after the run, sponge stations galore (perhaps towel stations would be more appropriate), and no shortage of medical personnel or volunteers. Thank you for all those who made the run possible and I'll see you all next year - perhaps.

I?d been looking forward to running the 1/2 marathon in Hong Kong for more than a year. Last year I was knocked out with a hip problem just before the race, but the fact that it was 5 degrees (40F) and heavy rain somehow eased the pain. This year was warmer, but the clouds were threatening for most of the race (it down-poured about 2:15 into the 1/2, which was 1:30 into the full marathon), and the wind was brutal on the Central side after the tunnel.

The course: the 1/2 had a 7:10am start in Kowloon, on Nathan Road, running right down the middle of one of the most densely-packed areas on the planet. From there, it was left on Austin, then over to the elevated highway. From that point on, for the next 15k up on the elevated highway and down the tunnel under the harbor, you would have been hard pressed to prove to yourself you were in HK. Only when you came out and ran along Central did you really feel you were in a world-class city.

The crowds: Since we were up on the highway or running in a tunnel under the harbor, there were no crowds at all, until the last kilometer, but the camaraderie among the runners was good.

The organization: What really made the difference was the organization of the race. From the ease of website sign-up and pre-race collection of the bags to the 100+ portable toilets at the starting line and the well-stocked drink stations along the way, this was one extremely well-run marathon. The one real down-sides of the planning, however, were the crowds. For the first 4km, it was simply packed, with a lot of bumping and swerving and the occasional accident or two. Unless you started at the front of the pack, there was little hope of breaking away from stragglers and the infuriating clusters of slow joggers which clogged up the narrow roads and underpasses. I finally hit my pace at around the 5km mark by running on the left (return-run) side. Even then, we were regularly chased back in amongst the masses by race officials.

In all, then, a good 1/2 marathon, some hills to it, but not too many; some good sights to see, but not a lot; some good organization, but still some room for improvement. I don?t know if they would be willing to reduce numbers ? maybe a longer time to cross the starting line would help. Maybe next year I?ll just push my way closer to the front.

Start and finish at opposite side of the harbor, but excellent subway/public transportation system to get around. My first race outside the US and Canada. Interesting experience. Race number pick-up for foreigners is on Friday (race day is Sunday) so you need to get there 2 days ahead of time. Medal was given out at the expo. Need to pay $100 deposit for timing chip. I finished with a time of 3:30 but refund table is not yet set-up 'til around 15 minutes later. I was 2nd in line to get my money back. Full and half marathon started at the same time and place.

Huge traffic jam on 2 lane road until half marathon runner turn around. You need to pick up cups from the table at aid stations. Plenty of banana and sneakers bar after the 1/2 way mark. Beware that there is only water at aid stations and no sports drink. I really appreciate volunteers handing me the cup after that, because you need to slow down to get the cup from the table to drink (unless you get good at it). It is a closed course. Most of the course is run on highways (above street level) with no cross traffic, but since nobody other than the volunteers were allowed on, there were no spectators, 'til the last 1 mile.

Elevations (on to tunnels and bridges) were not steep; exception is one steep grade near the end (highway ramp) on the Hong Kong island side. Windy on the bridges. Temperatures in the 40's, and cloudy with light showers. Nice, heavy duty runners bag, big enough for extra shoes and winter coat.

My last comment for the 2003 marathon was 'I will return' and I did, but to a cold and windy marathon with some rain to add a little misery.

Send off was rowdy, plenty of enthusiasm and I loved it, and it kept my mind off the weather. First two drink stations once again a shambles, though. Far too many runners. Cups getting knocked off tables, volunteers over-worked as well as coping with the weather.

After 10km mark, split from half marathoners, drink stations became a little more orderly. Both bridges exposed us to the elements. After 21km I found there were a lot more bananas and chocolate bars than 2003; in fact, so many that there were a lot of half-eaten bananas and chocolate bars on the ground. For the 2005 marathon, half banana and a smaller chocolate would be more appropriate.

After 30km, the weather taking its toll. Runners falling by the way side. The Western Harbour Tunnel crossing in previous years has been a curse for many runners in that it's too long and gets to hot, but this year it gave us all some respite from the weather and allowed us to stretch or walk in comfort before the final 4km dash or plod home.

Rowdy reception at the finish line, and that's when runners should recieve there medal - not two days before the race. As there were a lot more runners this year, the baggage collection line was longer, and so was the wait. Perhaps baggage collection could have been under shelter (next to physio). Scouts did a wonderful job, but they could only work so fast under cold/windy conditions. After getting warm clothing on I felt insulted in that I had to walk a half a km to drop off my timing chip. Why could it not be done at the finish line?

Thank you volunteers, medical staff and organizers. In spite of the weather conditions and some organizational matters, I still enjoyed the hardships of running marathons and if finance, work and weather permit, 'I may return'.