The Hong Kong Marathon 2026, held on January 18, attracted a massive turnout of over 70,000 participants, but it was the presence of legendary Hong Kong actor Chow Yun-fat that truly captured the spotlight. Known affectionately by many as ‘Ache’ and celebrated for his iconic roles, the 70-year-old star led a distinguished group of more than 20 famous actors in the prestigious race.
Chow Yun-fat demonstrated his impressive stamina by successfully completing the 10-kilometer distance, crossing the finish line with a commendable time of 2 hours and 23 seconds. His participation, alongside other prominent figures from the entertainment industry, added a unique blend of celebrity glamour and athletic spirit to the event.
Among the notable personalities who joined Chow Yun-fat were veteran actors Paw Hee-ching and Lau Kong, as well as younger stars Edwin Siu and Priscilla Wong. Their collective presence generated significant public interest in the marathon, which saw approximately 74,000 runners navigate the vibrant streets of Hong Kong.
Following his run, Chow Yun-fat engaged in good-natured banter with reporters, playfully suggesting a career pivot to becoming a running coach, humorously setting his fee at $20,000 per student, especially in light of the current downturn in film production. Actors Edwin Siu and Priscilla Wong quickly responded to his jest, playfully vowing to train diligently to afford his exclusive coaching services.
The experience proved to be transformative for some of the participants. Actress Priscilla Wong shared her profound happiness since joining Chow Yun-fat’s running group, attributing significant improvements in her health to daily running, especially after battling physical challenges for several years. She emphasized the critical role of consistent exercise in maintaining well-being. Chow Yun-fat, in turn, commended his older colleagues, Paw Hee-ching and Lau Kong, acknowledging their remarkable endurance and strong performance within the running team.
In a display of his unwavering dedication to the sport, the acclaimed actor publicly declared his commitment to continue running marathons until he reaches the age of 120. Beyond the acting fraternity, singer Terrence Lam also achieved a personal milestone during the event, successfully completing his first half marathon with an impressive time of 2 hours and 13 minutes.
