SZ-HK marathon held as National Games test event

Video and photos by Liu Xudong

The 2025 Shenzhen-Hong Kong Marathon and the 15th National Games athletics (Marathon) test event concluded yesterday. With a total of 38 professional marathon athletes, the event made history as the first-ever cross-border marathon held during the National Games’ test races.

The event included both men’s and women’s races, with the women’s group departing at 7 a.m. and the men's setting off at 7:30 a.m.

The men’s race in the 2025 Shenzhen-Hong Kong Marathon and the 15th National Games Athletics (Marathon) test event departs at 7:30 a.m. from Shenzhen Bay Sports Center. 

The entire course was 42.195 km long, with 21.841 km making up the Hong Kong section. Setting off from the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center in Nanshan District, runners entered Hong Kong via the Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint, ran along the Shenzhen Bay Bridge and the Kong Sham Western Highway Viaduct, then headed back to the Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint via the same route, finishing at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center.

The route traversed several key areas, including Shenzhen’s Nanshan District and Qianhai area and Hong Kong’s Yuen Long District, linking important regions such as Shenzhen’s Qianhai-Shekou free trade zone, the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone, and Hong Kong's ecological zones.

An athlete returns from Hong Kong, passing through the Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint during the marathon.

After fierce competition, Zhao Chaochuan, from Yunnan, claimed victory in the men’s category with a time of 2 hours, 17 minutes, and 17 seconds. In the women’s category, Guangdong’s Chen Liqin took the top spot with a time of 2 hours, 44 minutes, and 44 seconds.

Speaking to the media after her victory, Chen Liqin expressed satisfaction with the race. “Of course, as professional athletes, we remain very focused during the competition,” she said. “But along the way, I caught a glimpse of the ocean view, and it was beautiful.” Sharing plans for future improvements, she added, “I hope to train even harder this summer and aim to break my record at the National Games.”

The men’s race winners receive their medals during the award ceremony. Zhao Chaochuan (C), from Yunnan, takes first place with a time of 2 hours, 17 minutes, and 17 seconds.

The top women’s finishers celebrate on the podium after the awards ceremony. Guangdong’s Chen Liqin (C) claims victory with a time of 2 hours, 44 minutes, and 44 seconds.

A major highlight of the event was the use of cutting-edge technology to enhance the race experience. A three-tier verification system, including facial recognition, wristband tracking, and real-time timing, was introduced during the border crossing process. Dubbed “zero delay, zero contact, zero waiting,” this innovative clearance system ensured athletes could quickly transition into race mode.

Zhao Chaochuan praised the smooth process, saying, “We registered and completed facial recognition ahead of time. The contactless clearance was fast, and there was no need to stop for paperwork.”

Leanne Szeto, the women’s third-place finisher from Hong Kong, also commented on the ease of the new system, explaining, “Normally, I’d have to go through a counter to cross the border, but this time the wristband provided by the event made it much easier.”

A runner competes during the 2025 Shenzhen-Hong Kong Marathon.

The event also utilized real-time tracking technologies, including drones, live streaming, and digital monitoring of athletes and vehicles. This not only improved event management but also provided valuable insights for the official National Games marathon, which is scheduled for November.

In terms of logistics, Nanshan District implemented effective measures to minimize disruptions and ensure participant safety. Traffic controls were put in place on key road segments, with closures beginning an hour before the first runner passed. Roads reopened as the final runner completed the race, reducing the impact on the public. Emergency services were also on standby, with 14 fire trucks, one fireboat, and numerous medical teams stationed along the route.