Hong Kong distance runners got their first true test of cross country running yesterday when the Gigasports Hong Kong Cross Country Championship was staged over a rugged piece of reclaimed land on Lantau Island.
Thanks to Typhoon Nesat, the 2.5-kilometre course was covered in puddles and mud, which got deeper and muddier with every one of the three laps.
'This was my first cross country race ever, and I didn't expect it to be like this at all,' said Hong Kong international triathlete Joyce Cheung Ting-yan (pictured), who won the senior women's title in 33 minutes, 16 seconds ahead of Kate Waller. 'This was a whole new experience for me, and it was actually quite fun.'
Kwan Kee, chairman of the Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association, was on hand to witness the 1,100 competitors do battle with the wind-blown course. His organising committee might have to look at slight changes for next year's event if the weather again turns parts of the course into a quagmire, he said.
'I don't think Hong Kong athletes are used to such conditions, but we'll think about what to do next year after we get feedback from the runners and from the organising committee,' Kwan said.
Thomas Kiprotich claimed his fourth distance title in three weeks and his second in two days by taking the 7.5-kilometre senior men's race.