The route for the marathon in recent years has started at Tsim Sha Tsui and takes you through West Kowloon, Tsing Yi, across the Tsing Ma Bridge before turning back towards West Kowloon, through the Western Harbour Tunnel and finishing at Victoria Park. The route is the standard marathon length of 42.195 Km and yet the actual distance between the start and finish line is a mere 3 Km. The International Association of Athletics Federations advises that in order to prevent runners in road races having too much of an advantage from tail wind, the linear distance between the start and finish should not be more than half of the total distance of the race. Therefore in the case of the marathon, the linear distance between the start and finish should not be longer than 21 Km.

However, whether the race is over 42 Km or 3 Km, we should rest and relax before race day, avoiding vigorous exercise such as long-distance running. As far as diet is concerned, greasy or high fibre food should be kept to a minimum and food that generates gas should be avoided so as to prevent discomfort in the digestive system.