Many of the world’s elite runners compete in Hong Kong‘s largest outdoor sporting event every year.

The Hong Kong Marathon has grown from just 1,000 competitors 18 years ago to 72,000 in 2013.

It is expected to be even bigger this year, with a full marathon, a half marathon and a 10km run taking competitors past some of the best urban scenery Asia’s world city has to offer.

The fiercely-fought competition is just as exciting for spectators as it is for runners, with the 42.195km full marathon starting in the scenic Tsim Tsa Tsui area of Kowloon, racing up into the New Territories and heading back down to a spectacular finish in Victoria Park on Hong Kong Island.

For 2014 the Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association has also added two wheelchair races – a 3km and a 10km route.