The race, which started at 10 am, was originally scheduled for 767 participants but ended up welcoming 605 people to the race at Repulse Bay.

Wong Ngai-lam, 16, finished first in the men's public group in 7m14s. "Today is a warm day and I am lucky," he said, "I kept swimming as hard as I could."

Wong Hoi-wai, 16, who was also the women's public champion last year, defended her crown with a time of 6m 48s.

"My training was once affected by the epidemic and I'm happy to win again," she said