Athletes gather for Hong Kong Marathon - AsiaRooms.com

AsiaRooms.com can announce that a major test of stamina is on the horizon for the many runners preparing to take part in this year's Hong Kong Marathon.

Sponsored by the Standard Chartered bank, the event has been going since 1997 and takes place on Sunday February 28th this year.

As well as the full marathon, there is also a 10km challenge and a half marathon event for athletes who prefer to compete in a shorter race.

Both the half marathon and the full race begin from Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, a popular downtown area that should be familiar to people who have used hotels in Hong Kong.

The marathon circuit runs out to West Kowloon and through the Cheung Tsing Tunnel, before passing over the Tsing Ma Bridge.

Competitors then turn back towards West Kowloon and head to Western Harbour Crossing. From here, they progress to the finish line at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay.

This year, the route will also take in Stonecutters Bridge, Hong Kong's latest eye-catching landmark.

Opened to traffic in December 2009, it is a cable-stayed bridge that spans the Rambler Channel to connect Tsing Yi with Stonecutters Island.

Total prize money for the marathon is $80,000 (£49,200) and although the runner quotas are now full, people staying in Hong Kong can still enjoy the atmosphere of this sporting highlight.