Hong Kong Cyclothon set for October 13 with fair added at West Kowloon arts hub for first time

The city’s largest cycling race, the Hong Kong Cyclothon, will finish at the West Kowloon arts hub this year, with a carnival added to the October event for the first time.

Dane Cheng Ting-yat, executive director of race organiser the Hong Kong Tourism Board, said on Wednesday the carnival was being introduced to fit the growing trend of sports-inspired tourism.

“Urban dwellers care more about health these days, with sports-themed deep dive tourism also on the rise, which is worth promoting,” Cheng said.

“Many tourists marvel at Hong Kong’s countryside sights, and how one can still see the skyline when doing sports from urban areas.”

The Cyclothon, set to take place on October 13, is open to both amateur and elite participants and has 50km and 32km races and a 1km family fun ride. The finishing line for the 50km and 32km races will be located near Elements shopping centre with cyclists led to the West Kowloon Cultural District after their rides.

Raymond Chan Chan-man, general manager of event and product development at the Tourism Board, said the carnival would feature a market selling cycling and sports products, yoga and stretching workshops and food stalls with local delicacies.

“These will let racers relax and stretch after their races. Spectators can also take part [in the carnival],” Chan said.

Chan said he expected around 36,000 participants to sign up for the Cyclothon this year. The quota for the 50km race has been set at 4,000 while the 32km one will have 2,000 riders.

The cost of organising this year’s event is HK$30 million, with local developer Sun Hung Kai Properties as the sponsor.

The carnival will be held at the cultural district’s Wonderland area from 7am to 3pm.

Last year’s event, the first post-Covid Cyclothon, was held on the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui on October 22.