A World Athletics–certified Platinum Label event — the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge (Hong Kong Section) Half Marathon mass field registration is about to open. This is the country’s third Platinum-label half marathon and Hong Kong’s first Platinum-label road race.

This year the HZMB Half Marathon was upgraded from Gold to Platinum, becoming China’s third Platinum-label half marathon. With that status and the sizable prize money, might it attract a host of familiar athletes and even Hong Kong/Macao celebrities (for example, Chow Yun‑fat took part in the inaugural race in 2024)?

Registration period:
Today, June 18 (Thursday) at 14:00 until July 2 (Thursday) at 12:00.

Race date:
November 15, 2026 (Sunday). The half marathon has 8,000 entries; the 10 km has 2,000 entries.

Start/finish: Hong Kong Link Road of the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge;
Holding/assembly point: AsiaWorld‑Expo.
Out‑of‑town runners landing at Hong Kong International Airport will be closer to the start/finish and the assembly point.

Although the organizers provide shuttle buses from several designated locations, participants who have run before report there is nearly a 2 km walk between the shuttle drop‑off point and the start. This is perhaps one of the more troublesome aspects of the race (at least it serves as a warm‑up).

Half marathon entry fees:
Local participants: HK$550 (approx. RMB 475);
Non‑local participants: US$85 (approx. RMB 575).

10 km entry fees:
Local participants: HK$450 (approx. RMB 390);
Non‑local participants: US$75 (approx. RMB 510).

Participants must truthfully declare their estimated finish time when registering.

The Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge Half Marathon has many corrals — five in total including this year’s added 10 km — which is a lot for a half marathon. The strict requirement to provide estimated times is intended to assist corral allocation and ensure the event runs smoothly.

Race pack collection is at Chater Garden, Central, Hong Kong.

Time: November 13, 2026 (Friday), 12:00–20:00;
November 14, 2026 (Saturday) 10:00 AM — 6:00 PM.

Race-day start arrangements are as follows. It's worth noting that the official check-in closure times are almost all about 1 hour and 15 minutes earlier than the corresponding gun times — runners will need to get up early!

10 km Challenge: 6:15 AM start.
Half-marathon Challenge: 7:15 AM start.
Half Marathon Group 1: 7:45 AM start.
Half Marathon Group 2: 8:15 AM start.
Half Marathon Group 3: 8:45 AM start.

Last year this race had 8,000 runners in the half-marathon category only. This year 2,000 places have been added for the 10 km category. If you don't want to run the half, you can opt for the 10 km to experience a Platinum Label event and what it's like to race on the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge.

A Platinum Label half-marathon plus a run across a sea-crossing bridge — chasing a PB in the sea breeze, what's not to love?

Image source: the race's official website.