https://www.scmp.com/rss/323558/feed The Oxfam Trailwalker is an iconic Hong Kong 100-kilometre trail race that began in 1981 as a training exercise for the Queen's Gurkha Signals during the city's colonial days. Since opening the event to civilians in 1986, nearly 100,000 participants have raised over HK$530 million to support Oxfam’s various poverty alleviation and emergency relief projects in Africa and Asia. In teams of four, Trailwalkers have 48 hours to complete the 100km MacLehose Trail that begins in Pak Tam Chung in Sai... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Ada Li Ada Li Hong Kong’s largest trail race, the Oxfam Trailwalker, will open registration for its 2026 edition next Wednesday, with the organiser introducing a 20km category to mark the event’s 50th anniversary. The signature 100km event will once again form the centrepiece for the race, which will take place from November 20 to 22. Teams of four will set off from Pak Tam Chung in Sai Kung and finish at Harrow International School Hong Kong in Tuen Mun, traversing most of the MacLehose Trail and connecting... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3351877/oxfam-trailwalker-introduce-20km-category-mark-events-50th-anniversary?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3351877/oxfam-trailwalker-introduce-20km-category-mark-events-50th-anniversary?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 11:07:53 +0000 Cheryl Arcibal,Enoch Yiu Cheryl Arcibal,Enoch Yiu Hong Kong developers have postponed property sales scheduled for Friday as the city mourns the deaths of dozens of residents in a devastating fire that broke out in Tai Po. Sino Group and New World Development announced on Thursday that the sale of 150 units at One Park Place in Yau Tong and 63 units at the Austin Bohemian project in Yau Ma Tei, respectively, would be deferred. Both Sino Group and NWD did not disclose the reason for the postponement or when sales would be rescheduled. Meanwhile,... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3334316/hong-kong-developers-sino-group-nwd-delay-home-sales-after-devastating-tai-po-fire?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3334316/hong-kong-developers-sino-group-nwd-delay-home-sales-after-devastating-tai-po-fire?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Nov 2025 05:11:32 +0000 SCMP Reporter SCMP Reporter This weekend’s Oxfam Trailwalker, the annual Cyclothon and a full slate of domestic rugby matches have all been called off as Hong Kong reels from its deadliest fire in nearly 30 years. With the official death toll at 65 and scores still missing on Thursday, organisers of some of the city’s biggest sporting events of the year opted to cancel, postpone or delay in light of the events in Tai Po. The Hong Kong Jockey Club, meanwhile, said it would hold Sunday’s meeting at Sha Tin behind closed... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3334307/oxfam-trailwaker-cancelled-questions-over-cyclothon-hong-kong-reels-fire-deaths?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3334307/oxfam-trailwaker-cancelled-questions-over-cyclothon-hong-kong-reels-fire-deaths?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Nov 2025 04:02:21 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Details of Hong Kong’s Oxfam Trailwalker were announced on Tuesday, with organisers indicating they hoped to welcome elite multinational teams for the first time in several editions. Teams of four runners can sign up for the 100km (62-mile) trail race from Wednesday next week, with the 1,300 slots expected to be oversubscribed when registration closes on May 27. If so, a draw for places will take place on June 5. There were 2,600 entries last year and the organisers expected a similar response... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3308421/hong-kongs-oxfam-trailwalker-set-welcome-back-elite-overseas-entrants?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3308421/hong-kongs-oxfam-trailwalker-set-welcome-back-elite-overseas-entrants?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Apr 2025 14:34:43 +0000 Not even a rainy start and some heavy downpours along the way could deny Jeff Campbell from maintaining his perfect record at Hong Kong Oxfam Trailwalker, as the Canadian and his team finished the gruelling 100-kilometre race first on Friday, more than an hour ahead of the field. Campbell, winner of the event three previous times, and his Team 8049 members – Ryan Whelan, Alex Neyrinck and Lodewijk Vriens – crossed the line in 11 hours, 42 minutes and 53 seconds. Victorious in the men’s event in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3286662/oxfam-trailwalker-runners-organisers-battle-rain-ransacking-monkeys-race-gets-under-way?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3286662/oxfam-trailwalker-runners-organisers-battle-rain-ransacking-monkeys-race-gets-under-way?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 15 Nov 2024 03:36:17 +0000 Jeff Campbell is looking to scoop up his fourth Hong Kong Oxfam Trailwalker title in as many appearances when he tackles the demanding 100-kilometre route with his team next month. A two-time winner in the men’s event, in 2018 and 2021, Canadian Campbell added a third title in the mixed-team event with a record-breaking time as team 8004 crossed the finish line in 12 hours and one minute in the 2022 race (held in 2023 because of the pandemic). And the 42-year-old – who won the 40km solo race at... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3283395/hong-kong-oxfam-trailwalker-veteran-runner-jeff-campbell-aims-make-it-four-out-four?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3283395/hong-kong-oxfam-trailwalker-veteran-runner-jeff-campbell-aims-make-it-four-out-four?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Oct 2024 00:45:07 +0000 The Hong Kong branch of international charity Oxfam has revealed that it suffered a cyberattack earlier this month, with investigations under way to determine whether personal data was leaked. Oxfam Hong Kong said on Friday it had discovered the cyberattack on the morning of July 10 and that it had affected “certain of its systems, including the Oxfam Trailwalker system”. The Trailwalker is a renowned 100km (62 miles) trail race held annually in the city to help raise funds for the charity. The... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3272005/oxfam-hong-kong-investigating-possible-data-leak-after-revealing-it-suffered-cyberattack?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3272005/oxfam-hong-kong-investigating-possible-data-leak-after-revealing-it-suffered-cyberattack?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Jul 2024 08:21:27 +0000 Registration for this year’s Barclays MoonTrekker, an overnight trail event where participants race against the sunrise on Hong Kong’s Lantau Island, will be launched at 7pm on Sunday. Last year, more than 1,500 participants took part in the event, which is also a major fundraiser for the Nature Conservancy, with the race quota being filled within a few hours of registration opening. This year’s hike through the night starts on October 18 at 8pm and will see the launch of the shortened... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3264743/hong-kong-moontrekker-2024-registration-overnight-trail-race-against-sunrise-lantau-island-opens?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3264743/hong-kong-moontrekker-2024-registration-overnight-trail-race-against-sunrise-lantau-island-opens?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 31 May 2024 02:00:20 +0000 The organisers of the Oxfam Trailwalker have added a new route and set themselves an ambitious fundraising target to celebrate the 40th edition of the famous race in Hong Kong. Alongside the traditional 100-kilometre challenge will be a shorter 40km version, while officials are hoping to bring in a record HK$40 million in donations. The previous largest total was the HK$38 million collected in 2018. First held in 1981, what should have been the race’s 40th anniversary event was curtailed by... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3264291/oxfam-trailwalker-organisers-add-new-route-target-record-donations-race-hits-40?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3264291/oxfam-trailwalker-organisers-add-new-route-target-record-donations-race-hits-40?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 May 2024 11:30:10 +0000 Thousands of runners and walkers took to Hong Kong’s MacLehose Trail on Friday for the annual Oxfam Trailwalker, which takes competitors on a 100km trek across the city. Some 3,400 people in about 850 teams started Hong Kong’s largest hiking fundraiser throughout the course of the day, with their journey taking them from Pak Tam Chung in Sai Kung to Crossroads Foundation in Tuen Mun. They had 48 hours to complete the gruelling task, which crosses 20 of the city’s highest peaks. But the top teams... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3242733/oxfam-trailwalker-thousands-take-hong-kongs-mclehose-trail-citys-largest-annual-fundraiser?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3242733/oxfam-trailwalker-thousands-take-hong-kongs-mclehose-trail-citys-largest-annual-fundraiser?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Nov 2023 09:46:01 +0000 Hong Kong has many unsung heroes who make a significant social impact at home and abroad. Some play a critical role in supporting those most in need, ranging from poverty alleviation to humanitarian relief for victims of natural disasters or conflict, fulfilling a crucial role within the global community. Others use the soft power of the arts, culture and sports to engage with audiences, forge friendships and break down unconscious bias or anti-Asian sentiment, which is reportedly escalating in... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3232111/unsung-heroes-are-showcasing-hong-kongs-compassion-and-culture-world-stage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3232111/unsung-heroes-are-showcasing-hong-kongs-compassion-and-culture-world-stage?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Aug 2023 00:15:17 +0000 Ultra running is now almost synonymous with Hong Kong, which boasts the kind of daunting terrain and conditions perfect for races that draw tens of thousands of hardy competitors every year. So it’s hard to believe that the first recorded ultra marathon in Hong Kong only took place in 1956, and that few people even seemed to notice at the time. Perhaps they should have done – it produced a world record, a note of which was hidden in an article in the Hong Kong Marathon programme from 1979. The... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3221925/story-hong-kongs-first-ultra-marathon-runners-so-many-people-just-thought-we-were-mad?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3221925/story-hong-kongs-first-ultra-marathon-runners-so-many-people-just-thought-we-were-mad?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 May 2023 02:00:14 +0000 There were no surprises at the 2022 Oxfam Trailwalker as the Hong Kong quartet led by top ultra-runner Wong Ho-chung crossed the finish line in Yuen Long first after running for 11 hours, 38 minutes and 19 seconds. Despite coming in some eight minutes later than their pre-set target of 11 hours and 30 minutes, Wong – who is an eight-time participant – still lauded the team’s “exceptional” achievement. “It was really hot today, so such a finishing time is beyond our standard already. It felt... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3211498/oxfam-trailwalker-veteran-wong-ho-chung-tastes-exceptional-first-victory-team-8006?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3211498/oxfam-trailwalker-veteran-wong-ho-chung-tastes-exceptional-first-victory-team-8006?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Feb 2023 15:03:31 +0000 After civil unrest in 2019 and three years of Covid restrictions the Oxfam Trailwalker is back with a vengeance this year, taking place twice in the space of 10 months. A reduced 400-team event in two weeks time will be followed by one three times the size in November as Hong Kong finally gets back to normal. Organisers had just four months to put the first race together after finally getting permission from the government, and Michael Wong Ho-ming, the charity’s director of fundraising and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3209657/oxfam-trailwalker-fantastic-4-aiming-shatter-race-record-event-returns-first-time-2018?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3209657/oxfam-trailwalker-fantastic-4-aiming-shatter-race-record-event-returns-first-time-2018?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Feb 2023 10:50:48 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan Just like that, another year has come and gone. 2022 has passed in the blink of an eye and it’s almost time to ring in the new year. And what a year it’s been! For sports fans, the Fifa World Cup was a highlight, with a projected five billion people globally watching some part of the month-long tournament. The most popular sporting event on the planet saw a host of records broken – from the most goals scored in the tournament, to Lionel Messi breaking 10 World Cup records, including being the... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3204860/let-2023-be-year-which-hong-kongs-fortunes-turn-around?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3204860/let-2023-be-year-which-hong-kongs-fortunes-turn-around?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 Dec 2022 00:15:08 +0000 As tickets for the long-awaited Hong Kong Sevens went on sale this week, our hermit city creaked open its doors to the world for the first time in three years. Do we still have the flair to organise what, for the past four decades, has been one of the world’s best sporting parties? And how many from overseas will bother to come? As Hong Kong’s travel-hungry families celebrate the government’s nervous steps towards opening up, there are still many events – in particular sporting ones – that... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/hong-kong/article/3194300/hong-kong-needs-bring-back-international-sporting-events?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/hong-kong/article/3194300/hong-kong-needs-bring-back-international-sporting-events?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 01 Oct 2022 01:15:11 +0000 Two of Hong Kong’s signature outdoor trail running events remain under a cloud as the city’s Covid-19 restrictions continue to hamper their plans. The Oxfam Trailwalker revealed this week it was unclear if this year’s event would go ahead, with the government yet to approve plans for the 100km trail running race that was originally scheduled for November 25-27. Oxfam Trailwalker, one of the largest fundraising sports events in Hong Kong, has raised more than HK$600 million to support the charity... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3189584/oxfam-trailwalker-and-translantau-hang-balance-they?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3189584/oxfam-trailwalker-and-translantau-hang-balance-they?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Aug 2022 02:15:27 +0000 The dates for the 2022 Oxfam Trailwalker could be announced in early August, race organisers have said. But there is no certainty as the government has yet to approve the event, despite reports suggesting it could be held in November. On Wednesday, there were suggestions that the Trailwalker would return over the weekend of November 25-27, putting an end to three years of cancellations and restrictions caused by protests and the coronavirus pandemic. Does Trailwalker’s cancellation confirm the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3186138/oxfam-trailwalker-organisers-waiting-officials-give?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3186138/oxfam-trailwalker-organisers-waiting-officials-give?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 Jul 2022 23:30:18 +0000 On July 1, 1997, the day of Hong Kong’s handover, Tsoi Wing-cheung laid all of his cigarette packets out in front of him and came to a decision – he would quit smoking. He began to shred them, his resolve growing firmer with each cigarette he destroyed and tossed into a basin of water. At the time, Tsoi was in his late 30s and smoking at least 10 cigarettes a day. “It was really bad. I smoked so much that my fingers and nails were reddish-black,” he says. “I already felt like I couldn’t do much,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3177655/running-helped-him-quit-smoking-now-he-does-100km-ultra?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3177655/running-helped-him-quit-smoking-now-he-does-100km-ultra?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 May 2022 09:15:17 +0000 Team Gone Running-Joint Dynamics (GRJD) won the 100km Oxfam Trailwalker (OTW) in 14 hours and 55 minutes, despite having only one training session as a team. The four women – Ann Cheng-Echevarria, Katrin Gottschalk, Candice Lanzoni and Karen Tse – were relatively inexperienced when it came to OTW, and to team races, but quickly established a team spirit. The OTW is a four-person team race, 100km from Sai Kung to near Tai Tong. Because of the pandemic, organisers decided to hold a “virtual” race... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3160228/oxfam-trailwalker-winners-rely-team-spirit-overcome?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3160228/oxfam-trailwalker-winners-rely-team-spirit-overcome?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Dec 2021 07:13:04 +0000 Jeff Campbell did not let three cracked ribs sustained in a fall stop him, as he and his Gone Running-Joint Dynamics (GRJD) teammates won this year’s men’s division of the Oxfam Trailwalker. Acknowledging there had been “some discomfort”, Campbell pointed out that a 100km run always involved a measure of pain. Alongside John Ellis, Ryan Whelan and Masa Shirotake, Campbell finished in 11 hours and 45 minutes, as GRJD defended the title they won at the most recent official OTW in 2018, and again... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3159772/oxfam-trailwalker-winners-overcome-cracked-ribs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3159772/oxfam-trailwalker-winners-overcome-cracked-ribs?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Dec 2021 06:15:08 +0000 Setting a new mixed team record at the Oxfam Trailwalker was more than just a number and a race for the Uglow team – it was a “powerful” shared experience that means a great deal to the four runners. Frenchmen Paul Fournier, Mat Leng, Guillaume Perrot and Slovakian Veronika Vadovicova ran the famous 100km race in 12 hours and 28 minutes. It is 23 minutes faster than the official record, and 17 minutes faster than the unofficial record, which was set in 2019 when teams ran despite the race being... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3159317/hong-kong-team-set-oxfam-trailwalker-record-drawing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3159317/hong-kong-team-set-oxfam-trailwalker-record-drawing?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Dec 2021 06:00:21 +0000 Harry Loasby has set the 66km Lantau Trail supported ‘fastest known time’ (FKT), taking 25 minutes off the previous record. Not only did he leave with the tangible record in hand, but a number of lessons he will take forward to the Lantau Trail 70 (LT70) race in December. “The approach was to treat it as a training run, as preparation for the LT70, time on the feet and practice fuelling,” Loasby said. “I’d never done anything like that and I didn’t want the LT70 to be the first time I tried it... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3155778/hong-kong-trail-runner-harry-loasby-races-around-lantau?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3155778/hong-kong-trail-runner-harry-loasby-races-around-lantau?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Nov 2021 03:00:25 +0000 The staging of the Hong Kong Marathon on October 24 was a landmark in the city’s return to normal life amid the pandemic. The event attracted 18,500 runners. There was controversy over the wearing of political slogans, complaints about crowding at some points on the course and a higher number of injuries than usual. But the event was a success, the first of its kind since 2019. It is, therefore, surprising and disappointing that the next major mass sporting event on the calendar, the Oxfam... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3154304/trailwalker-event-will-hopefully-return-soon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3154304/trailwalker-event-will-hopefully-return-soon?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 30 Oct 2021 23:30:29 +0000 The Oxfam Trailwalker has been nixed for a third year in a row after organisers were denied an exemption by the government from its ban on group gatherings amid strict Covid-19 restrictions in the city. Oxfam Hong Kong said it received written notice from the government on Tuesday that its application had been rejected just three weeks out from the 2021 charity trail running race, which was scheduled to run for November 19-21, despite continuing to provide details about preventive measures over... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3153900/oxfam-trailwalker-scrapped-after-government-denies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3153900/oxfam-trailwalker-scrapped-after-government-denies?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 Oct 2021 11:23:24 +0000 Building a training plan to become a better runner might sound simple – lots of running. But it can be more complicated than that if you want to get the most out of your sessions and become the best runner possible. This is where cross training comes in. Cross training is simply training that is not running – a “crossover” to another sport – but one that will benefit your running. Why cross train? One of the foremost benefits of cross training is that you can reduce your chance of injury while... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3132106/cross-training-runners-why-include-varied-sessions-get?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3132106/cross-training-runners-why-include-varied-sessions-get?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 May 2021 00:00:14 +0000 A Hong Kong-based magician pulled his latest trick, setting the unsupported reverse Hong Kong Trail record in three hours and 56 minutes. Ferdinand Clovis Airault wants others to see behind the curtain to reveal his secrets. “Running is like magic. It’s not about the card disappearing, it’s about the story,” said the Frenchman. He pointed to magician David Blaine, who held his breath in a water tank for 17 minutes: “To me, that looks like magic.” “I want to say that the Hong Kong Trail, in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/article/3120195/reverse-hong-kong-trail-unsupported-record-set-magician-showing-trick?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/article/3120195/reverse-hong-kong-trail-unsupported-record-set-magician-showing-trick?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Feb 2021 06:56:07 +0000 The famous flow state is an elusive goal for runners, and for Nikki Han she has to travel vast distances to achieve it. She is the first and still only woman to finish the 298km Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challengeand is returning for the race’s 10th anniversary. The HK4TUC links all four major trails in Hong Kong – the 100km MacLehose, the 78km Wilson Trail, the 50km Hong Kong Trail and the 70km Lantau Trail. Runners are not allowed any support and there are no checkpoints, though they do have... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3119464/hong-kong-four-trails-first-woman-finisher-nikki-han?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3119464/hong-kong-four-trails-first-woman-finisher-nikki-han?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Jan 2021 04:00:06 +0000 Lawrence Hart has not run for weeks, maybe months. In fact, he hates running and yet has been inspired to take on a challenge sure to test his limits. He will run four miles, every four hours, for 48 hours. “I think it’s going to be more of a mental challenge than a physical one, which is crazy given I’m going to run nearly two back-to-back marathons in two days, and I haven’t run at all this year,” Hart said. The Hong Kong-based Briton is following in the footsteps of David Goggins, the US... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3119312/david-goggins-challenge-four-miles-every-four-hours-48?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3119312/david-goggins-challenge-four-miles-every-four-hours-48?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 Jan 2021 00:00:11 +0000 Running 298km takes immense physical capacity, but it is not possible without mental strength. Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge (HK4TUC) conqueror Law Kai-pong says you need time to build that resilience. The HK4TUC is a unique and challenging event. It links all four major trails in Hong Kong – the 100km MacLehose, the 78km Wilson Trail, the 50km Hong Kong Trail and the 70km Lantau Trail. Runners are not allowed any support and there are no checkpoints, though they do have help travelling... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3118829/hong-kong-298km-four-trails-about-mental-strength-no?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3118829/hong-kong-298km-four-trails-about-mental-strength-no?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Jan 2021 00:00:17 +0000 Jacky Leung Chun-keung is among rare company as one of the few people who have finished the 298km Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge (HK4TUC). Yet it is not his success, but his failures, that have shaped his approach to running. He is returning for another attempt at the HK4TUC over Lunar New Year, confident he can improve on his 58 hours and 30 minutes, set in 2020. The HK4TUC is one of the most brutal events in ultra running. It links all four major trails in Hong Kong – 100km MacLehose,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3117906/hong-kong-298km-four-trails-finisher-leung-returns-10?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3117906/hong-kong-298km-four-trails-finisher-leung-returns-10?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 Jan 2021 01:00:16 +0000 The 104km TransLantau has been placed on the Spartan Trail World Championship series. It is one of 10 races on the circuit and will now offer US$18,000 (around HK$140,000) in prize money. “It’s a real international event. We have 43 different nationalities and 40 per cent of our runners come from overseas. We have good media coverage in many countries, not just Hong Kong. That is why we were approached by Spartan,” said TransLantau organiser Sabrina Dumont. The Spartan Trail World Championship... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3117862/translantau-included-spartan-trail-world-championship?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3117862/translantau-included-spartan-trail-world-championship?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 15 Jan 2021 05:45:12 +0000 Trail races have been cancelled for most of 2020 because of Covid-19 Social distancing restrictions. The lack of income is taking a toll on trail race organisers’ bottom line, and as the Hong Kong government has said it will be “lucky” to get a citywide vaccination by 2022, there is a long road ahead. “Many organisers and those supporting the sport are really struggling,” said Janet Ng, a founder of Trail Runners Association of Hong Kong (TRAHK) and organiser of the Vibram Hong Kong 100. “Some... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3113378/how-long-can-trail-race-organisers-survive-if-there-no?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3113378/how-long-can-trail-race-organisers-survive-if-there-no?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Dec 2020 08:15:52 +0000 Trail and ultra running is all about pushing yourself, extending past your comfort zone and growing mentally. But there is an obsession with going farther. Once you have finished your first 50km, the question is when will you tackle 100km? And then push yourself to a 100-miler (160km). But your comfort zone does not have to be farther, it can be faster or it can just mean different. It is a pressure that extends to all levels of the sport. Even OCC champion Ruth Croft admitted she felt pressure... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3113060/kilian-jornets-24-hour-record-attempt-shows-pushing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3113060/kilian-jornets-24-hour-record-attempt-shows-pushing?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Dec 2020 00:04:47 +0000 Wong Ho-chung, one of Hong Kong’s best ultra runners, has achieved the ‘fastest known time ‘ (FKT) for running the famous MacLehose trail unsupported. He completed the 100km route, with around 4,900 metres of accumulative gain, in 10 hours, 38 minutes and eight seconds. He successfully managed his goal of starting and finishing between sunrise and sunset. “It was better than I expected. I think this time is perfect for me,” Wong said. The MacLehose is the best known of Hong Kong’s trails and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3112835/wong-ho-chung-sets-maclehose-fastest-time-perfect-run?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3112835/wong-ho-chung-sets-maclehose-fastest-time-perfect-run?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Dec 2020 05:18:17 +0000 Grit, the attitude to persevere when all you want to do is stop, is an essential ingredient in endurance sports. Being physically prepared is non negotiable, but even if you are fit you need grit to keep pushing yourself. Grit is a trait that can be learned and trained, just like you can grow your muscles. And there are a few simple ways to start becoming a gritty person. Friends like these They say you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. So, surround yourself with... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/extreme-sports/article/3110212/how-practice-grit-endurance-sports-trail-and-ultra?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/extreme-sports/article/3110212/how-practice-grit-endurance-sports-trail-and-ultra?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Nov 2020 00:00:12 +0000 Sitting motionless in a room for an extended period of time might seem like an odd way to improve your running, but meditation is a tool used by some of the world’s best runners to take them to the next level. Two-time Western States champion Timmy Olhsen uses meditation as a central tenant of his training. Two-time OCC champion Ruth Croft has gone on week-long silent meditation retreats. Here are some ways to get started: Why meditate? There are a number of benefits for runners. Firstly, it can... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3108766/meditation-runners-how-stay-present-and-push-yourself?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3108766/meditation-runners-how-stay-present-and-push-yourself?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Nov 2020 00:00:14 +0000 Covid-19 has decimated the 2020 events calendar – or the number of participants in those that have not been postponed or cancelled. The Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament and the Oxfam Trailwalker are iconic casualties. Operation Santa Claus (OSC) may be low profile by comparison. But it speaks volumes for the generosity amid adversity that sets Hong Kong apart that this annual themed charity is stepping up to the mark once again – pandemic or no pandemic. Under the banner “Caring Community,... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3108296/hong-kong-show-it-cares-again-hard-times?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3108296/hong-kong-show-it-cares-again-hard-times?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Nov 2020 11:39:02 +0000 Stone Tsang Siu-keung set the Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the 78km Wilson Trail in nine hours, 59 minutes and 16 seconds. The feat was part of his training to run the 298km Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge (HK4TUC) in under 50 hours. “It was so magical. It was why I was so emotional,” Tsang said. Tsang ran the route in reverse. The final section of the Wilson Trail, where Tsang started, is located along on the Shenzhen border. The route then went over Pat Sin Leng and the Eight Immortals,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3108061/emotional-tsang-sets-wilson-trail-fkt-just-45-seconds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3108061/emotional-tsang-sets-wilson-trail-fkt-just-45-seconds?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Nov 2020 06:47:51 +0000 The Vibram Hong Kong 100 has been cancelled as government group restrictions linger on. The 100km race, from Sai Kung to Tai Mo Shan, is one of the most competitive races of the calendar. It is the only race in Hong Kong on the Ultra-Trail World Tour and attracts big-name ultra runners from around the globe. The Hong Kong government continues to enforce group size restrictions and, despite the announcement that the maximum number allowed will raise from four to six in bars and restaurants, it... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3107270/hong-kong-100-cancelled-citys-ultra-trail-world-tour?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3107270/hong-kong-100-cancelled-citys-ultra-trail-world-tour?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Oct 2020 09:43:14 +0000 You could be forgiven for thinking that trail running is about running. No, those days are long gone. If you want to look like a real runner, and a hardcore one at that, follow these simple tips. Stay well clear of international marathons. They require no technical gear and yield little to no content for your social media – the best you can hope for is a shot of you showing horrendous running form, face contorted into a grimace of undignified exhaustion. Also, nobody is impressed by a top 5,000... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/how-guides/article/3106020/how-become-badass-runner-without-doing-much-running-lot?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/how-guides/article/3106020/how-become-badass-runner-without-doing-much-running-lot?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Oct 2020 00:00:20 +0000 It is common for runners to experience pain in their heel but the source of the issue may stem from a variety of underlying problems. Fortunately, most of the issues have similar remedies to get you back running as soon as possible. Cause The most common cause is an overuse injury. Runners, particularly beginners, often run too far too often and pay the price. That can cause pain in the heel. It may be as simple as a bruised heel. But more likely, it is the side effects of either Achilles... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/how-guides/article/3104378/heel-pain-when-running-cause-and-treatment-common-injury?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/how-guides/article/3104378/heel-pain-when-running-cause-and-treatment-common-injury?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Oct 2020 00:00:12 +0000 Running with poles is a great way to make you a more efficient runner. It spreads the load among different muscles and joints so you can push faster and for longer. But it is not as easy as buying some poles and suddenly you’ll be as quick as Kilian Jornet. There are techniques to get the most out of your poles. Practice makes perfect  First things first, make sure you use your poles regularly before a race. For any gear, race day should not be the first time you use them. As you spread the load... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3104240/using-poles-when-trail-running-how-improve-and-become?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3104240/using-poles-when-trail-running-how-improve-and-become?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Oct 2020 00:00:12 +0000 Trail runners are willing to add a surcharge to their race fees to help preserve Hong Kong’s country parks, according to an academic paper published in the Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism. The paper examines the lasting damage caused by trail races and the desire of participants to be part of the solution. The paper asserts that the increased popularity of trail running is causing trail degradation, littering and disturbance of wildlife – including the spread of pathogens to species of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3103635/should-trail-runners-pay-use-hong-kongs-country-parks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3103635/should-trail-runners-pay-use-hong-kongs-country-parks?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Oct 2020 02:00:16 +0000 The Hong Kong trail scene has it all – tough courses, iconic races, crazy distances that capture the imagination, community spirit and even award-winning films. But there is one thing it lacks: a ‘Fastest Known Time’ (FKT) route. An FKT is exactly what it says on the time, the fastest time anyone has taken to run a particular trail or course. There are some nuances to the definition. The course tends to be notable, obvious and one that others would want to repeat. What’s more, although running a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3099231/time-hong-kong-embrace-fkt-culture-what-iconic-route?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3099231/time-hong-kong-embrace-fkt-culture-what-iconic-route?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Aug 2020 03:00:13 +0000 The Oxfam Trailwalker (OTW) has been postponed to January 29-31 next year, with organisers concerned about the safety of participants due to coronavirus. The 100km race, originally scheduled for November, follows the MacLehose trail and is one of the most popular running events of the year. “Our primary concern has always been the safety of our walkers, their supporters and our volunteers,” the organisers said on their website. “With less than three months until November, and the uncertainties... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3099024/oxfam-trailwalker-postponed-january-over-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3099024/oxfam-trailwalker-postponed-january-over-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Aug 2020 02:48:57 +0000 Ekaterina (Katya) Mityaeva is Russia’s best female trail runner. Her path to the top has taken her through a variety of sports and one day she hopes to stand atop the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) podium. According to the International Trail Running Association (ITRA), in the 34 races she has completed, Mityaeva managed 33 top-10 finishes, 19 top-three results, and 12 victories in premier mountain races around the world. The Russian considers her fourth place at 2019 UTMB as her best result.... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3097891/russias-ekaterina-mityaeva-climbs-trail-running-ranks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3097891/russias-ekaterina-mityaeva-climbs-trail-running-ranks?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Aug 2020 02:00:29 +0000 Waking up the day after a long run can be a painful experience. Your legs are like boards of wood and even the act of sitting down is more like a flop. This feeling can be doubled if you have to get up and run again. Yet, this is what so many runners do when they enter a multi-day stage race, like the 250km Marathon des Sables, or if they embark on back-to-back training sessions to replicate the feeling of having tired legs during the latter stages of a long race. Here are a few things you can... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/how-guides/article/3097670/how-recover-between-runs-multi-day-stage-race-or-long?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/how-guides/article/3097670/how-recover-between-runs-multi-day-stage-race-or-long?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Aug 2020 00:00:16 +0000 Thai athlete Jay ‘Jantaraboon’ Kiangchaipaiphana took first place at the 100km CM6 in Chiang Mai this weekend, despite still suffering the side effects after being struck by a falling tree two weeks ago.   “It fell on my head. I was unconscious for a couple of minutes. I woke up, I felt dizzy,” said Kiangchaipaiphana, a member of The North Face Adventure Team and one of Thailand’s top outdoor sports athletes. “A couple of weeks later, my right side of my body was still very tight as it hit me on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3096711/kiangchaipaiphana-wins-100km-race-thailand-two-weeks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3096711/kiangchaipaiphana-wins-100km-race-thailand-two-weeks?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 10 Aug 2020 05:01:27 +0000 Wearing a mask when hiking or trail running in the midst of Hong Kong’s hot and humid summer might be intensely uncomfortable, but it is necessary, so comply and adjust your training plans accordingly, say some of Hong Kong’s top trail runners. The government has mandated the wearing of masks indoors and outdoors, including during exercise, as Hong Kong experiences its third wave of coronavirus cases. Stone Tsang Siu-keung, one of Hong Kong’s best trail runners and winner of the 2017 Ultra Trail... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3094957/wearing-masks-when-trail-running-or-hiking-necessary-so?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3094957/wearing-masks-when-trail-running-or-hiking-necessary-so?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Jul 2020 04:50:19 +0000