The 2026 Hong Kong Marathon gun went off this morning at 6 a.m. on Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, this year featured 18,000 full marathoners, 24,500 half marathoners and 31,000 10K runners. On the Hong Kong Marathon's 42.195-kilometer course, there are many climbs and turns, and it passes through three tunnels and three major bridges, earning it the reputation of "Asia's most devilish course".
This year's Hong Kong Marathon drew well-known competitors such as Han Rilong, Yuki Kawauchi, Chen Tianyu, and Gao Peng, and film star Chow Yun-fat, who after completing the half marathon last year, returned this year to the Hong Kong Marathon's 10K course.
In the first half of the race, the men's field was relatively steady, with the lead pack holding at around twenty runners. "The Great General" Han Rilong was in the lead pack; Chinese runners Chen Tianyu and Gao Peng ran together, sitting in 29th and 30th.
After the halfway point, when the lead pack emerged from the Changqing Tunnel, Han Rilong began to lead the group of African runners; his boldness and courage drew cheers from the spectators. At 1 hour 36 minutes into the race, TOO Silas Kiprono, LANGAT Francis Kipkorir and Han Rilong were the top three.
In the final five kilometers, the previously understated 2017 Hong Kong Marathon champion BIZUNEH Melaku Belachew suddenly surged to the front and took the lead. He then ran faster and faster, steadily extending the gap on his chasers, ultimately crossing the line first in 2:09:39, reclaiming the title after nine years.
Silas Kiprono Too and Francis Kipkorir Langat finished second and third.
Han Rilong clocked 2:10:39 to take sixth place，Yuki Kawauchi finished in 2:19:52 to place 16th. Chen Tianyu and Gao Peng moved up in the later stages, Chen Tianyu ran 2:22:18 to finish 27th, Gao Peng 2:22:52 to finish 28th.
On the women's side,HABTEGEBREL Shitaye Eshete took the lead from the start, heading the leading pack. By the halfway point, the women's lead group had been reduced to just five runners.
HABTEGEBREL Shitaye Eshete performed steadily in the final stages, continually extending her lead,and won the women's title in 2 hours 27 minutes 03 seconds. TESFAY Nigisti Haltu and MASAl Linet Chepkwemoi took second and third place.
