Women keep doing better and better on the Trailwalker
Trailwalker is growing, and while the 2014 edition was a record-setting one for the women in the field, racers believe it can be quicker
Charitable aims are at its roots, yet the Oxfam Trailwalker reluctantly takes a competitive tone each year as the city's hardiest runners, assembled in teams of four, vie to be the fastest over the hilly 100km MacLehose Trail.
The 2014 Oxfam Trailwalker, which concluded two weeks ago today, was not the fastest in the event's history. Winners Team Columbia Nepal finished in 11 hours and 56 minutes, almost an hour slower than their record-breaking 10 hours 58 minute run last year.
But this year's event stands out for a different reason - fast women.
Wyan Chow Pui-yan, a 37-year-old police officer, made history as she skipped over the finish in a record-setting 12 hours 52 minutes. Her team, Team 2XU UFO, were fourth overall.
Hong Kong women are getting faster, you can see it in the records. Before [Oxfam] changed the route [in 2009], the fastest women's team were not even below 14 hours
The result made her the fastest woman in Oxfam Trailwalker history, and the first to crack the 13-hour barrier. Chow's team maintained an average pace equivalent to a respectable five-hour marathon tempo - all while climbing hills equivalent to almost half the size of Everest.
She wasn't the only speedy female on the MacLehose that day - three of the top 10 teams included women.