The Government will consider allowing the use of more roads on the Hong Kong Marathon route, if the proposals are feasible and District Councils support them.
Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing told legislators today major roads must be closed to make way for runners, so public support and understanding is required.
The Amateur Athletic Association organises the marathon, and will consult District Councils and government departments on the race arrangements.
Government departments will provide advice on the race route, starting times, the number of participants, safety measures and road closure duration to ensure public safety.
Mr Tsang said the marathon's revenue can be used only for the purposes specified in the association’s charter and subject to the Companies Ordinance. The Government considers that sports associations should have room to develop as far as possible.
According to the association, most of the operating revenue from the marathon is used in organising the event, while the remaining funds are used for athlete development and promotion.
Speaking on the marathon's wheelchair race, Mr Tsang said it was successfully held in the past three years with increasing participants. The association will improve race arrangements this year by extending the time limit and redesigning the route.
