Fastest runners slow to return to HK Marathon
Organisers of Sunday's Hong Kong Marathon say it's been hard to get top international runners to return to the event, because of strong competition around the world.  Thirteen top overseas runners will be competing this year, compared to more than 30 in 2019 before the pandemic.  Kwan Kee, who chairs the Hong Kong Association of Athletics Affiliates, said the group has already raised the amount of prize money for the event to attract elite runners.  "We have provided better prize money, even if we have to pay some appearance money to them. But still, it's a big challenge [to get runners in Hong Kong]," he told reporters on Friday, adding that he hopes those who take part can raise the level of the race.  Local runner Wong Kai-lok, who won the men's competition in 2021, said athletes should stay well hydrated and cool down properly after the race, noting that it is expected to be very humid and quite warm on Sunday. “The humidity is quite high for us because maybe if the humidity is just 60 percent, it's better than 90, 100 percent humidity. Because the temperature is higher than last week, our bodies may find it hard to adapt to the temperature," he said. Wong said he's switching to half marathon this year in preparation for the Tokyo Marathon next month, in which he hopes to set a new Hong Kong record and win a ticket to represent the SAR at the Asian Games.