Successful completion of HK-Shenzhen marathon test event: Shenzhen Bay Port gradually reopens at 11 am

Hong Kong

2025.02.23 12:20

The 15th National Games athletics (marathon) test event concluded smoothly this morning (Feb. 23). Yeung Tak-keung, the director of the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong), described the event as a symbol of the integration and development of the Greater Bay Area, while also testing collaborative efforts. He noted that the test event provided valuable experience.

Yeung mentioned that the marathon route in Hong Kong was suitable, with appropriate width, curvature, and slope. The main marathon is currently ongoing in Shenzhen, and no athletes have required medical assistance so far. After the event, a meeting will be held to review various aspects, including the possibility of continuing with the same route.

The test marathon covered a total distance of 42.195 kilometers, with the Hong Kong segment measuring 21.841 kilometers. The event featured both men's and women's categories, starting with the women's group at 7 am at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center, followed by the men's group at 7:30 am. A total of 38 athletes participated, including three male and three female athletes from Hong Kong. The runners entered the Hong Kong segment at 7:36 am and 7:08 am respectively, completing the segment in 1 hour and 42 minutes for men and 1 hour and 52 minutes for women. All runners exited the Hong Kong segment before 9:12 am, meeting expectations.

Yeung also highlighted that hundreds of government personnel and volunteers participated in the event, with volunteers providing support to athletes in restricted areas to enhance the atmosphere.

Regarding immigration arrangements, Yeung noted that the Shenzhen Bay Port closed at 2 am, while other checkpoints operated smoothly throughout the morning. He anticipated that the Shenzhen Bay checkpoint would return to normal operations by 11 am. He urged travelers and drivers to plan their trips early, especially during the initial busy period after reopening the checkpoint.