Hong Kong’s popular annual sporting event, the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2026, kicked off on Sunday with over 70,000 runners taking part. 

According to the event organizer, a quarter of the participating runners are nonlocal entrants from 110 countries and regions, which underscores the race’s status as a high-standard, major event with great global appeal. 

READ MORE: HK Marathon 2026 set for Sunday draws global field

This year’s marathon lineup includes a 42.195-kilometer full marathon, a half-marathon, a 10-kilometer race, and 10km wheelchair races. 

Earlier in the week, the premier road race was awarded the "M" Mark statue—an official recognition system to highlight sports events with global influence—by the city’s Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) for its role in elevating the city’s profile as a sports capital and generating considerable socioeconomic benefits.

China Daily's Adam Lam took the photos on Sunday.