HK Standard Chartered Marathon 2008 takes place

(BEIJING, February 17) -- The Hong Kong Standard Chartered Marathon 2008 took place on Sunday with up 42, 000 runners participating the annual event.

William Ko Wai-lam, chairman of the race organizing committee, said the fine weather conditions played a key role in the successful start of the event.

"It was about 13 C and gradually rose to 17 C, which is fit for long running."

The marathon will start near the clock tower in Tsim Sha Tsui and the final leg of the course will take place along the Island Eastern Corridor of Hong Kong, ending up in Causeway Bay. There will be many spectator viewpoints across the island for people to cheer on the runners. With the end located in Victoria Park, this year more spectators will be able to gather near the finish line to garner support for the runners.

Police, medical staff, transportation personnel have geared up for the event along with more than 3,000 assistant runners, who will prevent potential emergencies along the route.

William Ko Wai-lam said:" there was a sharp reduction in the number of runners suffering from injuries along the route. Most of them suffered from bruises and cramp with 31 participants receiving hospital treatments due to slight injuries."