Marathon to halt Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint

Participants pass through the scenic Shenzhen Talent Park and cross the Houhai Bridge during the 2024 Shenzhen Marathon on Dec. 1, 2024. The city will host the first cross-border marathon in National Games history this Saturday. Shenzhen Special Zone Daily

The Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint will suspend services from 2 a.m. to 11 a.m. this Saturday to accommodate the National Games' first-ever cross-border marathon, event organizers announced yesterday.

Event overview

A total of 71 runners from across the country will take part in the 42.195-km race, which includes a 20.345-km segment in Shenzhen and 21.85-km segment in Hong Kong. Both the start and finish lines are located next to the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center on Haide Third Road in Nanshan District.

The men’s race will begin at 7 a.m., followed by the women’s race at 7:30 a.m. Participants will pass through scenic areas like Shenzhen Bay Park and the Dasha River Ecological Corridor before crossing into Hong Kong via the Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint after about 2 km. Runners are expected to complete the Hong Kong portion within two hours.

A route map shows the course of the National Games’ first cross-border marathon, set to take place Saturday. Courtesy of event organizer

Transport adjustments

To facilitate the event, roads near the Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint will be temporarily closed from 2 a.m. to 11 a.m., and several bus routes will be adjusted.

In addition, Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint Station (深圳湾口岸站) on Metro Line 13 will be closed from 6:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Trains bound for the station will terminate at Talent Park Station (人才公园站) and then turn back toward High-tech Central Station (高新中站). 

Hong Kong authorities will also close the Shenzhen Bay Bridge and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Expressway, and cross-boundary buses and taxis heading to the Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint will be suspended.

Travel advisory

Runners make their way along Shennan Boulevard during the 2024 Shenzhen Marathon, held Dec. 1, 2024. Courtesy of event organizer

Although the port is scheduled to reopen at 11 a.m., full restoration of transport services and normal port operations may be delayed due to marathon-related road controls. Travelers are advised to avoid peak hours shortly after the port reopens and consider using other border crossings, such as Luohu, Futian, or Liantang.

Freight vehicles can use the Huanggang, Liantang, or Wenjindu checkpoints from 2 a.m. to 11 a.m., while cars and passenger vehicles may use the same alternatives from 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.