The next Hong Kong Marathon will be held on November 19 this year, organisers say, as Sunday's races were actually the 25th edition of the event which would have been held last year if it wasn't for the pandemic.

Dennis Ng, executive director of the Hong Kong Association of Athletics Affiliates, on Monday said they will hopefully be able to increase the number of places and more overseas runners will participate next time.

He told an RTHK programme that 34,700 runners, or around 94 percent of those who signed up, took part in Sunday's event and this was higher than the average 84 to 85 percent turn-up rate in previous years.

“It was the first major sports event since after infection-control measures were relaxed. Compared to 2021, the gathering ban and testing requirements were relaxed and members of the public are now allowed to cheer the runners. All these may have helped,” he said.

Around 500 overseas runners took part in this year’s races compared to an average of 10,000 in previous years, Ng said.

Before the pandemic, up to 70,000 people in total took part each year, but the number of participants was capped at 37,000 on Sunday because of the pandemic.

“We believe the quota will increase as we return to normal,” said Ng.