Need an alternative to crowded, polluted and impersonal mass races? Consider the Athletic Veterans of Hong Kong's (AVOHK) flagship event and first AIMS-certified marathon in Hong Kong: China Coast Marathon and Half Marathon.

First held in 1981, it is sponsored by Gammon Construction, which has a running team who regularly participates in corporate challenges. Being a runners-for-runners race, all participants will feel welcomed and looked after.

Starting and finishing at Pak Tam Chung, the race will take place on service roads but don't brush it off just yet! The current course record is 2:38:44 set by Kevin Ball in 1989, which goes to show how tough the terrain will be.

Half Marathon Course

Whilst this isn't the race to set personal bests, it gives you the chance to compete with some of Hong Kong's hardiest runners. Open to athletes aged 18 and above, the event on 31 January 2016 is expecting 600 full marathoners and 1,900 half marathoners.

With ideal weather conditions at the beginning of the year, runners will flag off at 8:00 a.m. and run through beautiful scenery in Hong Kong's eastern Sai Kung peninsula.

There will be water stations at every 5 km mark, as well as sports drinks, bananas and oranges for marathoners.

The overall top three finishers, as well as the top three AVOHK male and female members in each race, will receive trophies and cash prizes.

Full Marathon Course

Sign Up Today

Register now and pay just HK$400 per entry, or HK$500 from 15 December 2015 onwards. Entry closes on 15 January 2016 or earlier if races are full.

All finishers will receive a commemorative T-shirt, medal, post-race refreshments and certificates. Transport by bus to the starting venue is free for competitors but do note that you must book it during the online registration.

For more information and to sign up online, visit their website.