In a historic first for China’s National Games, 69 runners raced on Saturday across the border between Shenzhen and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, with participants praising it as a major step toward deeper regional connectivity through sports.
The race is one of two cross-boundary events in the ongoing 15th National Games, alongside a road cycling competition held on Nov 8.
The full marathon course stretched 42.195 kilometers, with about 20 kilometers in Shenzhen and more than 21 in Hong Kong. A total of 69 athletes from 23 teams took part, including six from Hong Kong and Macao.
The unique route saw runners set off from the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center, enter Hong Kong via the Shenzhen Bay Port, run along the Shenzhen Bay Bridge and Kong Sham Western Highway, and then return to Shenzhen through the same route to finish where they began, at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center.
Participants from across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area shared their enthusiasm for the unprecedented event.
Vincent Lam, a runner from Hong Kong, highlighted both the emotional and competitive significance of the race.
"When racing along the coastline, it's always so good to hear the cheering from my home crowd, and it will eventually give me more energy in order to perform better and race better. This marathon has a special meaning for us because it's the first time we are having a cross-border race. Not only can we learn from each other as athletes, we can also grow bigger in this running community and eventually (become) more competitive. We can turn the area into a vibrant running community, where athletes and other sport practitioners are able to excel in the sport that we love and to eventually perform at an Asian level and even international stage," he said.
This year, the race introduced a pre-clearance system, with all border checks completed before the start. This allowed runners to cross the port area without stopping to present travel documents, a seamless experience that drew high praise.
Xu Zhonghuang, a participant from Macao in the marathon’s test event, described the border crossing as remarkably smooth.
"The first half of the race took us across the Shenzhen Bay Bridge, where I could enjoy views on both sides. The second half wound through the streets of Shenzhen, giving me a real sense of the local culture. Even though it was just a test event, it felt truly special. What made it stand out was the cross-boundary aspect," Xu recounted.
"What made it stand out was the cross-boundary aspect. The clearance process was contactless, safe, and seamless -- we were through before we even realized it."
Echoing the sentiment of regional integration, Macao runner Wang Kun praised the event's innovative nature.
"This is such a unique and innovative event. It really gave me a deep sense of how closely Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Macao are connected. I hope this race can become a platform to promote Macao’s runners and showcase our athletic strength," Wang said.
He expressed hope for more exchanges, noting Macao's spatial constraints.
"After the race, I’d love to see more exchanges between Macao and other cities across the Greater Bay Area. Given Macao’s limited space, I hope that our athletes can train in other Bay Area cities to improve their performance," said Wang.
Cai Bingxian, a runner from Guangdong Province, highlighted the distinctive experience of running across the border.
"On one side, you've got the urban energy of Shenzhen, and on the other, the natural beauty of Hong Kong. This cross-boundary experience is something you just don't get from an ordinary race," Cai shared, adding "I'm truly proud and honored to be part of it."
Cai also emphasized how the event fostered connections among athletes.
"As we ran, we cheered for and connected with participants from Hong Kong and Macao. This 'friendship through running' really brought athletes closer together. That's the magic of sports. We didn't need many words. Just sweating and running side by side naturally connected our hearts," he said.
China is hosting the 15th National Games from November 9 to 21, the country’s largest and most prestigious multi-sport event. This year’s edition is groundbreaking, as it is being co-hosted for the first time by Guangdong Province along with the neighboring Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions.
Cross-border marathon makes history, bolsters Greater Bay Area ties at National Games
