Why trail-running legend Scott Jurek plans fun run in Hong Kong Moontrekker
Jurek, one of ultrarunning’s most decorated athletes, says his goal for the 43km overnight Lantau trail race on October 14 is enjoyment, rather than winning
He is one of the greatest runners of all time, bagging victories in almost all of ultrarunning’s elite trail and road events. But don’t count on Scott Jurek adding to that long list of wins when he lines up at the start line of the Barclays Moontrekker this Friday October 14 in Mui Wo.
“My goal is to have fun,” says Jurek, who is participating in the 43-kilometre overnight trail race for the first time. “So those of you who want to run with me, I’m not going to be taking off trying to win the event. I’m going to let other folks do that this time around.”
For those among the race’s 1,500 participants who can keep up with Jurek’s “fun” pace, it will be a real treat. The American has inspired legions of people around the world, not only with his running achievements, but also because of his philosophy towards the sport and nutrition. A vegan since 1999, Jurek opened up about his life and career in his 2012 memoir, Eat & Run, a New York Times bestseller that greatly raised the 42-year-old’s international profile.
Among his resume of titles include the historic 246km Spartathlon, the Hardrock 100, the Badwater 135-Mile (217km) Ultramarathon, and the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run, which he won a record seven straight times. Last year, he ran the 3,524km Appalachian Trail that cuts through 14 states from Maine to Georgia in the US, averaging nearly 80km a day to finish in 46 days, eight hours and seven minutes. It was a speed record until recently when Jurek’s buddy Karl Meltzer broke it.
Was Jurek sure he didn’t want to try to win the Moontrekker?
