Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2026

A race with about 74,000 runners participating.

I flew into Hong Kong on the night of 15 January, just a few days before race day. It felt familiar but different at the same time — the kind of trip where the purpose is clear, but you still allow yourself to take things slowly. No matter how many I’ve done (this was my 15th full marathon), race weekends still feel a little special… and a little unpredictable.

Race pack collection was on 16 January, and I took the MTR to Kai Tak Arena. Honestly, it couldn’t have been easier. For someone who always struggles with “GPS signal loss”, this was a pleasant surprise — very well signposted, straightforward directions, and super convenient. No stress, no confusion.

The whole race pack collection was well organised, though I didn’t expect the crowd on a Friday. It was busy — very busy. Once I collected my race pack, I spent some time wandering around the expo. Played a few games, queued for some freebies, and took my time looking around. I guess I’m getting a bit aunty lately — more patient, more willing to queue, and slightly more excited about free stuff than I used to be. Still, it was all part of the experience, and everything ran smoothly.

Race pack collection at Kai Tak Arena

After I received the news that I was accepted to run SCHKM 2026, I was so happy. Then I started researching the course, reading other runners’ comments… and I panicked a little. Bridges, elevation, tunnels — all in one race. But it turned out to be a really nice and manageable run. The temperature was great, and I was never running alone. There were always runners around my pace, never more than a metre away.

The 7:20 am sunrise

The only downside came in the last ~5km when we merged with the HM runners. There was a lot of zigzagging to avoid walkers, which broke the rhythm a bit.

Still, I’m very happy with my performance. Shin and plantar behaved (mostly), though things got a bit painful from 38km onwards — but no major drama, and I’ll take that as a win.

I enjoyed the run, took a few photos along the way, made some necessary pee stops, and stayed well hydrated at every water station (plus some cheeky walks 😌).

Garmin: 4:58:30. SCHKM app: 5:00:17.

I won’t lie — that one stung a bit 😅 I thought the app was showing net time! Thankfully, the certificate came out the next day with my net time: 4:58:27.

A sub-5 after many years. Not something I went in chasing, but a nice outcome of staying consistent — and 35 minutes 6 seconds faster than my SCSM 2025.

More than the timing, though, I genuinely enjoyed the run — and that’s what counts.

What stood out most about this trip wasn’t just the marathon. It was the experience of travelling for a run (even though this isn’t my first), moving through a city with purpose, and letting everything else fit around that one goal.

Numbers aside, I felt grateful — especially for my partner, my number one supporter, who showed up for me despite his stressful work schedule.

Running in Hong Kong is officially checked.

Will I do it again? Maybe.

For now, I’m happy to let this one sit — another city run completed, another chapter added.

Thank you to the organisers and volunteers. Also, this was the first race where I didn’t come across any pacers. Apparently, they were around… but I just never crossed paths with them.

On to the next start line, whenever it comes.

May x

My First Run in the Brooks Glycerin 22

I’ve been running mostly in the Brooks Ghost range for training and the Launch 8 for events, so trying a different shoe felt like taking a slight step out of my comfort zone. I’m not someone who knows much about running shoes, so switching models usually means I need a bit of reassurance first.

Over the past few years, I’ve tried a few different shoes and some of them ended up causing discomfort and pain in my legs. Coupled with an ankle injury from a year ago, it has made me much more cautious about the shoes I wear. These days, comfort, stability, and how my body feels after the run matter more to me than anything else.

So, I put on my thick skin and reached out to a fellow runner I’ve only chatted with online, the sifu himself, @im_tristupe. Thankfully, he was generous with his advice and explained things in a way that even someone like me could understand. That gave me enough confidence to give the Brooks Glycerin 22 a go.

Brooks Glycerin 22

The explanation that stuck with me was this: DNA Tuned foam.

In simple terms, it’s dual-density cushioning — soft when you’re running slow, and firmer when you pick up the pace. I’ll be honest, I’m still scratching my head trying to fully understand how it works, but the idea made enough sense for me to give it a try.

On paper, it sounded like a shoe that prioritises comfort without feeling dead or overly soft — something that felt suitable for where I am right now, especially with an ankle that still needs a bit of care.

I took the Glycerin 22 out for a 10km run and ran over the new Gurney Bridge, a familiar route that allowed me to focus more on how the shoes felt rather than the scenery (though I still ended up taking photos anyway).

Straight away, the comfort stood out. The ride felt smooth, cushioned, and stable. There was no awkward breaking-in phase, which is always a relief. Despite the extra cushioning, the shoe didn’t feel sluggish. It still responded when I increased my pace slightly.

And yes — I did feel a bit taller. The extra foam underfoot provides a subtle lift, which took a few minutes to get used to, but never felt unstable.

What stood out for me after this first run:

• Very comfortable from the start
• Soft and well-cushioned, but still responsive
• A stable ride that gave me some confidence, especially with my ankle

It feels like a shoe that’s more focused on taking care of your legs rather than pushing you to go faster.

Is It a Race Day Shoe? From what I’ve read, the Glycerin 22 probably isn’t the shoe I’d pick if I were chasing a PB on race day. It leans more towards comfort than speed.

That said, I’m not chasing a PB for a while until I’m ready again. So in my case, it feels like one stone hits two birds (literally, not real birds). It works well for training, could still handle race day if needed, and I don’t feel pressured to buy another pair just for speed. That alone saves some money.

Unless I have a sponsor — then having another pair wouldn’t be a problem. 😅

This is only my first run and just 10km, so these are very early thoughts. I’m not making any big claims yet. Shoes tend to reveal their true personality after more mileage — longer runs, tired legs, and different paces.

For now, the Brooks Glycerin 22 feels like a comfortable and sensible choice that matches where I am in my running journey — cautious, healing, and focused on consistency rather than speed. I’ll share more once I’ve spent more miles in them.

If you’ve run in the Glycerin range, feel free to share your thoughts.

May x