Kuala lumpur: The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has announced that Hong Kong's largest annual cycling event, the Sun Hung Kai Properties Hong Kong Cyclothon, is set to return on Nov 30, bringing with it an enhanced lineup of races, routes, and public festivities.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, this year's edition offers a fresh and comprehensive array of activities and experiences for sports lovers to immerse in the city's vibrant energy, from professional races on brand new routes in the city streets among top athletes to a cycling-themed carnival with sports and entertainment experiences.
The Hong Kong Cyclothon is a significant event in the sporting calendar, providing both locals and visitors with an exceptional competitive cycling experience. The event also highlights Hong Kong's ability to blend sport with tourism. HKTB Chairman, Dr. Peter Lam, expressed the board's vision of expanding the Cyclothon across the Greater Bay Area and collaborating with neighboring destinations to establish a world-class tourism brand for the region.
The event will feature popular non-competitive rides, including the 50-kilometre 'four tunnels, three bridges' route, and the 32km 'two tunnels, two bridges' route. These routes will accommodate a total of 6,000 participants from local, Mainland, and overseas backgrounds, allowing cyclists to test their fitness while passing renowned landmarks.
A new addition to this year's event is the 32km ride including the inaugural World University Trophy. This challenge will welcome cyclists from universities in Hong Kong, Mainland and overseas, emphasizing sports, tourism, and cultural exchange.
The City Cycling Challenge will also see changes as it moves beyond the traditional circuit format. For the first time, the race will extend beyond Tsim Sha Tsui, featuring a longer course that incorporates varied terrain, thus enhancing the competitive experience.
Additionally, the West Kowloon Cultural District's Art Park will host the Cyclothon Carnival. This event will offer a dynamic mix of music and sports performances, alongside a variety of food booths, sports gear markets, and engaging activities such as face painting stalls and balloon art workshops.