Swimmers aged 12 to 82 took part in the 1.5 km Victoria Harbor race which returned last year after a hiatus of 33 years over pollution concerns.

The "New World Harbor Race 2012" continues the revival of the historic Cross Harbor Race that dates back to 1906, said sources with the Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association (HKASA), organizer of the iconic sporting event.

Participants must finish, within 1 hour and 15 minutes, the race route that stretches from Sam Ka Tsuen Public Pier in Lei Yue Mun to the Sai Wan Ho Harbor Park Public Pier.

Exciting swimmers dashed between eastern points of the Kowloon peninsula and Hong Kong Island against a scenic backdrop of a blue sky and glittering skyscrapers, replacing the normal traffic of ferries and cargo boats.

Ling Tin yu, winner of the men's open group, said he is glad to defend his title in less than 17 minutes, and he is looking forward to the competition next year in which he hopes to bag the third consecutive championship.

The HKASA also said the Fifth Asian Open Water Swimming Championships will be held concurrently, covering a 5-km course and using the same start and finish points as those of the New World Harbor Race 2012.