Organisers of the Hong Kong AXN Challenge, a multi-disciplinary urban adventure race, plan to transform the city into a giant playground for outdoor enthusiasts.
The gruelling 40km cycling, running, swimming and kayaking race will take local and foreign participants through stretches of rugged, spectacular terrain in the countryside and into the hustle and bustle of the city on October 16. Teams are expected to take five to seven hours to complete the Challenge.
'The Hong Kong AXN Challenge has been carefully designed to allow racers and audiences to experience Hong Kong like never before, by turning familiar landmarks into part of a big adventure playground,' said AXN's vice-president of marketing, Gregory Ho. 'The race will once again bring participants to where no one else dares to go, and get them to do what no one else can. We hope it will encourage more people to step out and live the action and adventure lifestyle.'
Starting from Tai Po Waterfront Park in the New Territories, the participants will follow a mystery route with activities set up at checkpoints.
From abseiling and orienteering to rope traversing and vertical climbing, the Challenge aims to push the limits of the athletes' physical and mental endurance and allow them to interact with the city's landmarks in 'extraordinary' ways.
When the Challenge was first held in Hong Kong in April 2002, more than 100 adventurers tackled a course around Repulse Bay, Violet Hill and Stanley Beach. Activities included abseiling down a 10-metre-high waterfall and racing up the Thousand Steps.
