The annual World Harbour Race was held yesterday at Victoria Harbour. The event, organised by the Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association (HKASA), is growing in popularity since it was relaunched in 2011, with a record 2,734 swimmers competing this year.
The 1500-metre World Harbour Race 2016 started at the Sam Ka Tsuen Public Pier in Lei Yue Mun, Kowloon and finished at the Quarry Bay Park Public Pier.
The event was stopped for decades over concerns about the pollution levels in the water, and even today it takes a brave person to jump into the harbour for a swim.
The International Category was won by American swimmer Charles Peterson and Rio Olympics 10-kilometer gold medalist Sharon Van Rouwendaal from the Netherlands in times of 16:44.3 and 16:55.9 respectively.
Organisers arranged a carnival at Quarry Bay Park for the swimmers and spectators with a range of booth games and giveaways.
The oldest and youngest swimmers, aged 77 and 12, both successfully finished the race, which makes you feel bad about not doing any exercise all weekend/year.