https://www.scmp.com/rss/327359/feed The Adventure Trail podcast is hosted by Mark Agnew and Mary Hui. The pair interview some of Asia's top outdoor athletes and host in-depth discussions on topics related to trail running and a host of other adventure sports. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Organisers of Hong Kong’s TransLantau by UTMB ultra-marathon have apologised after a “misunderstanding” and “miscommunication” meant hundreds of runners in the 50-kilometre event went without water on November 9. Race director Jules Pijourlet told the Post that affected athletes would be given free entry to next year’s race as compensation. Of the 832 runners in the 50km race, 151 did not finish, and athletes across all events complained of poor organisation and having to “fend for themselves”... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3287022/translantau-utmb-organisers-hong-kong-trail-run-apologise-after-runner-complaints?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3287022/translantau-utmb-organisers-hong-kong-trail-run-apologise-after-runner-complaints?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Nov 2024 10:00:14 +0000 Podcasts are proliferating, to the benefit of all. But it can cause choice paralysis, and some lesser-known podcasts get lost in the pile. What should runners listen to? There are countless popular podcasts for runners, so some may have slipped down a long list you intended to try, or not reached your radar yet. Here are just five of many you can tune into to get inspired for your next run. Endurance Asia Whether you are based in Asia or not, you will be fascinated and gripped by the in-depth... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/how-guides/article/3194510/best-podcasts-runners-2022-under-radar-shows-inspire-trail?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/how-guides/article/3194510/best-podcasts-runners-2022-under-radar-shows-inspire-trail?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 01 Oct 2022 07:15:09 +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 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 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 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 Karel Sabbe won the race with no end by running for 75 hours, 502km, around a 6.7km loop. Sabbe’s victory came down firstly to a national battle between the US and Belgium, then a one-on-one duel with fellow Belgian Merijn Geerts. The diabolical Big Dog’s Backyard Ultra is one of the most mind-boggling concepts in running. Participants have one hour to complete a 6.7km loop. They can go as fast or as slow as they like, so long as they are at the start line at the beginning of the next hour.... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3106371/karel-sabbe-wins-big-dogs-backyard-ultra-after-75-hours?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3106371/karel-sabbe-wins-big-dogs-backyard-ultra-after-75-hours?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Oct 2020 02:27:13 +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 Speed training is crucial to success on the trails, according to top Italian trail runner Francesco Puppi. He is now sharing his tips to get faster via an eight-week training programme on coaching website Vert.run. “When racing, after all, if you want a good performance you need that speed. And it makes you more economical in flatter parts of the trail and improves your general running, that’s why it’s important,” said Puppi, 28, who finished second at the 2019 World Long Distance Mountain... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3102682/how-train-speed-trails-francesco-puppi-improve-your?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3102682/how-train-speed-trails-francesco-puppi-improve-your?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Sep 2020 01:00:07 +0000 Pau Capell missed the 171km Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) course record by an hour, on his attempt to run the famous route in under 20 hours. The UTMB was cancelled this year due to coronavirus, but Capell was undeterred and headed out on the course anyway. Capell won the 2019 UTMB in record time, finishing in 20 hours and 19 minutes. His aggressive tactics were unconventional – usually on the long and gruelling route, runners are conservative and save their energy for the end. Runners who... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3099347/pau-capell-sets-utmb-course-record-two-minutes-despite?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3099347/pau-capell-sets-utmb-course-record-two-minutes-despite?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Aug 2020 13:50:57 +0000 As Nathan Fa’avae burst over the finish line with his New Zealand team to win the Eco-Challenge in Fiji, he also burst into the public’s eye on the Amazon Prime show “The World’s Toughest Race”, hosted by Bear Grylls. One of the stars of the adventure racing world, Fa’avae and his team had to draw on their experience so the filming did not get to them. “Sometimes it’s a good thing, there’s a positive side to it, other times it’s a big of a negative,” said Fa’avae, 48, adding that they had a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3098881/bear-grylls-eco-challenge-worlds-toughest-race-winner?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3098881/bear-grylls-eco-challenge-worlds-toughest-race-winner?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Aug 2020 08:00:11 +0000 “I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees,” American essayist and philosopher Henry David Thoreau is quoted as having said. Given that this year in Hong Kong has been remarkable for too many of the wrong reasons, we could no doubt all do with some of that magic. Happily, there are hiking, paths that are near the city along which you can hug a tree, while listening to streams cascade over rocks, cicadas buzz and birds call from dense cover. Here are five places to try. The... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3098244/discover-hong-kong-woodland-walks-five-places-enjoy-nature?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3098244/discover-hong-kong-woodland-walks-five-places-enjoy-nature?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Aug 2020 09:15:13 +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 Trail races are beginning to return across the world after a months-long hiatus due to the coronavirus. But they are a far cry from the events runners are used to, with safety measures to protect participants and volunteers. The International Trail Running Association (ITRA) released guidelines for races, including suggestions on face masks and social distancing at the start, checkpoints and finish. “The whole community of trail running is based on the fun and the anxiousness of gathering at the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3096938/new-normal-trail-running-during-coronavirus-what-does?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3096938/new-normal-trail-running-during-coronavirus-what-does?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Aug 2020 12:00:21 +0000 Trail and ultra running super star Courtney Dauwalter is in hospital with severe bronchitis. She was over 350km into an attempt to set the fastest known time (FKT) on the 788km Colorado Trail when she began to wheeze. “We made the call to take her to the ER in Leadville. Her [oxygen saturation was] 70 so the doctors here ran a full range of tests for HAPE [high altitude pulmonary edema], blood clots, and other severe conditions. Thankfully those were all ruled out and they determined she has... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3096845/courtney-dauwalter-788km-colorado-trail-fkt-attempt-cut?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3096845/courtney-dauwalter-788km-colorado-trail-fkt-attempt-cut?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Aug 2020 03:32:06 +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 Having a detailed plan can be the difference between finishing and dropping out of a trail or ultra race, and is the most efficient way to nail your time goals. Creating a plan is low-hanging fruit to make you a far more efficient racer and can give you an added boost on top of your training and fitness. Know the course This is the best planning you can do. It will dictate your pacing plan and help you prepare mentally beforehand, and during the race as you approach long climbs. How to get the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/how-guides/article/3093578/how-plan-your-trail-race-day-pacing-nutrition-gear-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/how-guides/article/3093578/how-plan-your-trail-race-day-pacing-nutrition-gear-and?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Jul 2020 01:00:16 +0000 Ryan Sandes, one of the best trail and ultra runners in South Africa, is dealing with the coronavirus restrictions by reminding himself why he runs. “For me, what has attracted me to the sport is adventures or big days out in the mountains with friends. It is nice to have a racing goal and some structure – not having a race means I lack specific motivation, but it also means in a couple of months’ time I can target a personal project,” Sandes said. Sandes, who won the Western States 100-miler... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/how-guides/article/3092291/how-train-fkt-or-adventure-run-when-all-your-races-get?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/how-guides/article/3092291/how-train-fkt-or-adventure-run-when-all-your-races-get?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Jul 2020 05:46:01 +0000 A new community project in Asia aims to facilitate female trail runners by supporting each others’ ambitions and giving others the confidence to try the sport for the first time. The group, Asia Trail Girls (ATG), was started recently by 2019 Asia Trail Master (ATM) champion Veronika Vadovicova. “In Asia, people like to do things together, but I just don’t see many girls doing things together, so this is like a new addition to the way people already think in Asia,” she said. For now, ATG is a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3089289/hong-kong-runner-builds-new-community-around-asia-trail?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3089289/hong-kong-runner-builds-new-community-around-asia-trail?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Jun 2020 00:30:09 +0000 To a non-runner, the thought of reading a book about running might seem painfully boring. Surely, a sport this repetitive does not lend itself to story telling. But the literature around ultra, trail and road running is rich and enthralling. The depths and introspection that hours of training and racing provokes creates profound observations and character arcs. Here are some books worth checking out, whether you are a runner or not. Running with the Kenyans Adharanand Finn was at a crossroads in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3087516/best-running-books-read-while-bored-lockdown-scott?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3087516/best-running-books-read-while-bored-lockdown-scott?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Jun 2020 00:00:18 +0000 Rob Naylor was tagged in one too many social media challenges, ordered to complete a workout or down a drink when he decided it was time to do something significant. So the Hong Kong-based Australian thought up a gruelling challenge, one he knew he would be bad at – running 100km around the 3.25km loop on Victoria Peak. “I thought, you know what, I’m sick of all these nominations for push-ups or drinking stupid drinks,” Naylor said. “I did the 145km TDS [at the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB)]... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3086328/hong-kong-runner-tackle-100km-around-peak-after-growing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3086328/hong-kong-runner-tackle-100km-around-peak-after-growing?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 May 2020 00:00:15 +0000 Lockdown restrictions are easing in many countries and runners are breathing a sigh of relief. But as tempting as it is to hit the trails and run for hours on end, with no races on the horizon it may be wise to ease yourself back into the sport. Vlad Ixel, The North Face athlete and winner of the TNF 100 Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand, is releasing a four-week programme with training platform Vert.run so you can return to running injury free, and faster than ever. Here are some of his... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3086108/train-post-lockdown-trail-running-injury-free-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3086108/train-post-lockdown-trail-running-injury-free-and?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 May 2020 00:00:15 +0000 Runners take perverse pride in their gross toe nails, wearing their grim injury as a badge of honour. Although toe nails falling off and then failing to grow back is common in the sport, there are some simple ways to prevent it or promote their healing. Cut your nails Snip your nails the night before the race and snip them square, not curved. Make sure you cut them the way you have done during your training – do not try something new, or cut them shorter than you ever have done. It might sound... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3085824/how-runners-can-stop-toe-nails-coming-or-turning-black?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3085824/how-runners-can-stop-toe-nails-coming-or-turning-black?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 24 May 2020 05:35:25 +0000 Premier Hong Kong ultra runner Wong Ho-chung has completed an epic 360km circumnavigation of Hong Kong. He set out to finish the challenge in a total moving time of 36 hours over four days and crossed the finish line with just half an hour to spare. “It was not a race, so no one could tell me what the result should be, or who to follow,” Wong said. “If I did one of the days, I knew I could do it, but over four, I was not sure. And that’s what made it interesting.” Wong circled a full 360 degrees... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3084830/ultra-star-wong-ho-chung-battles-sweltering-heat-epic?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3084830/ultra-star-wong-ho-chung-battles-sweltering-heat-epic?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 May 2020 04:36:49 +0000 Shin splints can be agony for runners. The tenderness along the inside of the shinbone gets the mind wondering, ‘What on earth can be causing this level of pain?’ Fortunately, there are some things you can do at home to help alleviate the issue and prevent it happening again in the future. Rest Shin splints are overuse injuries. They are particularly common in newcomers to the sport, who quickly become addicted to the improvements and push too much too soon. So, take a break from running or... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3084686/how-runners-can-fix-shin-splints-home-remedy-exercises?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3084686/how-runners-can-fix-shin-splints-home-remedy-exercises?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 May 2020 05:04:11 +0000 The Asia Trail Master (ATM) has released the first of a new series of videos called “The Tale of the Trail” keeping fans up-to-date with the running season. The ATM has races across Asia and declares a male and female winner at the end of the year. The first video deals with the havoc wreaked on the running season by the coronavirus. A new “Tale of the Trail” will be released every second week. When the race calendar returns to normal, ATM organiser Kris Van de Velde will discuss results, their... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3082926/asia-trail-master-releases-tale-trail-video-series?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3082926/asia-trail-master-releases-tale-trail-video-series?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 May 2020 08:13:03 +0000 On May 4, 2000, 24-year-old Marco Amoretti, his two brothers and a friend, Marcolino De Candia, cast off from the Canary Islands in two of the strangest boats ever conceived. The four men were in cars. They had sealed the vehicles, mounted them with sails and were set for the Caribbean, around 5,000km away. The journey had been Amoretti’s father’s, Giorgio’s, lifetime goal. But every time he had tried to organise the trip, the admin and funding had foiled him. “He was a very a special... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/extreme-sports/article/3082710/two-italians-floated-cars-across-atlantic-20-years-ago?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/extreme-sports/article/3082710/two-italians-floated-cars-across-atlantic-20-years-ago?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2020 07:00:10 +0000 If you are stuck in a city, unable to travel to your favourite trails because of coronavirus restrictions or other responsibilities, fear not – champion runner Ruth Croft has tips for urban-based trail lovers to train for their next race. “I picked up a lot of these when I was living in Taipei. The trails aren’t that accessible during the week,” Croft, two time winner of the OCC at the Ultra Trail of Mont Blanc week, said. “I did about 90 per cent of my training along a concrete river path.” She... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3082438/how-train-trail-running-if-youre-stuck-city-according?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3082438/how-train-trail-running-if-youre-stuck-city-according?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 May 2020 02:00:16 +0000 The new president of the International Trail Running Association (ITRA) is taking the body in a different direction, one based on technological innovation, independence and expansion in the US. In March this year the founder and president Michel Poletti stepped down after seven years in charge, and his successor is American Bob Crowley. A trail runner and organiser with 30 years in the sport, Crowley is a technology entrepreneur turned private equity investor. “I just turned 65,” Poletti told... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3082253/new-itra-president-bob-crowley-plans-develop-bodys?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3082253/new-itra-president-bob-crowley-plans-develop-bodys?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:14 +0000 Tight hamstrings are a common complaint among runners. Not only are they uncomfortable, but can lead to other injuries such as lower back pain or knee pain. The natural inclination is to stretch a tight muscle, and although this may bring short-term relief it is not the solution. In fact, it may cause more pain further down the line. Tight hamstrings may be the result of them being too long in the first place. The difference in length between the quadriceps and hamstrings leads to imbalances and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/health-fitness/article/3082083/how-treat-tight-hamstrings-caused-running-they-turn?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/health-fitness/article/3082083/how-treat-tight-hamstrings-caused-running-they-turn?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Apr 2020 00:00:19 +0000 Runners often experience lower back pain or muscle tightness due to the repetitive jarring over long distances. Stretching offers short term relief, but the pain returns run after run. The issue may lie elsewhere. Weak muscles You might be fit, but are you strong? If the muscles essential to running are weak, your back may be picking up the extra load. Strengthening hamstrings, core, hip flexors or glutes will alleviate pressure on your back. Some simple exercises will help build... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/gadgets-gear/article/3081152/how-treat-back-pain-caused-running-strength-exercises?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/gadgets-gear/article/3081152/how-treat-back-pain-caused-running-strength-exercises?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2020 00:00:07 +0000 One of the most beautiful things about trail running is its free-form, non-standardised nature. No two racecourses are the same and different athletes excel on different terrains, from mountainous to runnable. This makes competitions, from the local to the international level, quite unpredictable – and that is where a lot of the fun lies. Still, there’s value in trying to ascribe some method to the trail madness, even if only for curiosity’s sake. Now, a team of statistics and data science... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3080673/how-researchers-are-using-data-and-statistics-predict?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3080673/how-researchers-are-using-data-and-statistics-predict?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2020 00:00:05 +0000 Alexandre Clovirola is taking on an epic 228km challenge in Hong Kong to raise money for Paris Hospital and to bring the great outdoors to his French colleagues stuck inside during the coronavirus lockdown. The Hong Kong-based Frenchman plans to run the 100km MacLehose Trail from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday afternoon and then the 50km Hong Kong Trail on Friday. He will run the 78km Wilson Trail over the weekend but only if he “unlocks” it by raising 3,000 euros (HK$25,500). “The original... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3079982/hong-kong-trail-runner-raises-money-coronavirus-fight?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3079982/hong-kong-trail-runner-raises-money-coronavirus-fight?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2020 03:38:12 +0000 A Hongkonger completed the world’s first ‘Everesting’ triathlon on Sunday, finishing after 71 hours and seven minutes – over 55 hours of moving time – but it would not have been possible without the support of his friends and tough love from his wife. Everesting is the latest challenge in the endurance community – cyclists ride up and down the same hill until they accumulate the full height of Everest, 8,848m (29,029ft). Runners then took up the mantle and completed the same feat by foot. Now,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3079601/worlds-first-everesting-triathlon-completed-hongkonger?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3079601/worlds-first-everesting-triathlon-completed-hongkonger?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2020 04:44:02 +0000 If you suffer from Achilles problems because of running there are a few ways to sort out the issue at home. Sometimes a break from running is exactly what the Achilles needs, especially from overuse injuries. But it also needs stimulation to heal itself. Fixing imbalances is a way to prevent repeating the injury too. Calf raises Weak calves lead to body compensation elsewhere when you run, and a common cause of tendinitis is weak calve muscles, or one side being stronger than the other. Also, if... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3079258/how-runners-can-prevent-and-heal-achilles-injuries-when?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3079258/how-runners-can-prevent-and-heal-achilles-injuries-when?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2020 10:42:01 +0000 Tight hip flexors are common to many of us who sit at a desk all day, but for runners or cyclists it can be a real issue. With tight hips, you can feel restricted when striding along, and it can lead to other issues such as tendinitis, IT band problems or plantar fasciitis. It can reduce your power as you peddle and cause back pain. There are a few easy exercises and stretches you can incorporate into your routine to loosen your hips. Stationary lunge Take a large step forward and slowly lower... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/gadgets-gear/article/3075931/how-release-tight-hips-running-or-cycling-loosen-your?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/gadgets-gear/article/3075931/how-release-tight-hips-running-or-cycling-loosen-your?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Mar 2020 01:00:18 +0000 Top ultra runner Dylan Bowman has struggled with self-doubt for over a year, but is now emerging from his low by focusing on “emotional fitness”. “I've lived such a charmed life, in my entire life this is the first time I've ever dealt with a prolonged low point,” Bowman said. “It was never a question of whether I'd share it. It just felt like something worth sharing. We live in an age when it's really important to share this stuff and not just glorious sunsets and pictures of trophies. It's... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3075827/ultra-runner-dylan-bowman-battles-self-doubt-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3075827/ultra-runner-dylan-bowman-battles-self-doubt-and?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Mar 2020 00:00:14 +0000 Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the sole of the foot that afflicts many runners. The repetitive pounding of the road or trail takes its toll. There are a few things you can do to speed up recovery. Check out some of the remedies below. New shoes When was the last time your replaced your running shoes? It can be hard to let go of a pair of trainers you love, but when the sole becomes worn or compressed, it can lead to plantar fasciitis. A new pair of running shoes can go a long wait to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/gadgets-gear/article/3075340/how-runners-can-treat-plantar-fasciitis-pain-sole-does?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/gadgets-gear/article/3075340/how-runners-can-treat-plantar-fasciitis-pain-sole-does?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Mar 2020 04:55:35 +0000 When obstacle course race behemoth Spartan announced they would be organising trail races, runners rolled their eyes. To make matters worse, it would be yet another “world championship”. Here was one more non-trail running company to add to the bandwagon vying for a piece of the pie. What could they offer trail running that it does not already have? They were here to take from the growing market and give little back. And then, reading about their outlook, plans, races and in particular, prize... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3074876/spartan-trail-world-championship-snubs-utmb-and-utwt?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3074876/spartan-trail-world-championship-snubs-utmb-and-utwt?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Mar 2020 00:00:10 +0000 The logo of Spartan obstacle course races – a Greek warrior helmet – is one of the world’s most recognisable brands. Every year over a million people in more than 30 countries take part in Spartan events. Now Spartan have expanded into trail running, launching a Spartan Trail brand. “Why Spartan Trail? Because we believe in obstacles both natural and man-made,” Joe De Sena, the founder and CEO of Spartan, told the SCMP. Mariano Alvarez, the CEO of Spartan Trail, said the aim is to create new... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3074418/spartan-makes-move-trail-running-offering-global-events?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3074418/spartan-makes-move-trail-running-offering-global-events?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Mar 2020 00:00:26 +0000 Insoles, coupled with quality shoes and training, are a good way to add more comfort to your trail running experience. If you are suffering from arch pain or issues in your legs or lower back, the cause may lie in your foot. Seek professional advice if it persists, but perhaps these insoles could be the solution. Dr. Scholl’s plantar fasciitis pain relief This insole is well cushioned along the whole foot to deal with the impact of running long distances. They come in one size, with lines for... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/gadgets-gear/article/3073903/best-insoles-trail-running-how-sort-plantar-fasciitis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/gadgets-gear/article/3073903/best-insoles-trail-running-how-sort-plantar-fasciitis?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Mar 2020 02:00:16 +0000 Nic Tinworth, trail race organiser, has died aged 44 after battling a brain tumour for almost two years. Tinworth was the centre of the trail running community in Hong Kong, and so many runners were introduced to the sport through his efforts. Tinworth was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2018. He underwent chemotherapy but entered a hospice in January. He passed away in the early hours of Tuesday morning and is survived by his son Danny and his daughter Aelwen. Tinworth founded a trail race... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3052187/nic-tinworth-hong-kong-trail-running-community-legend?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3052187/nic-tinworth-hong-kong-trail-running-community-legend?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Feb 2020 02:03:50 +0000 Brett Hillier is set to run up the hill from Discovery Bay towards to Discovery Bay golf course 51 times as he accumulates the equivalent elevation of Everest, 8,848m. The feat, known as “Everesting”, will take around 24 hours and will consist of 1.74km laps. Hillier can have help coming downhill, so will ride bikes or catch lifts with supporters in golf buggies. But the challenge itself is not the only motivation. Hillier, 31, originally from Australia, is raising money for the State Emergency... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3050644/hong-kong-tennis-coach-aims-run-height-everest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3050644/hong-kong-tennis-coach-aims-run-height-everest?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Feb 2020 07:17:19 +0000 Nia Cooper has just one of four 100km races left to complete the Hong Kong Grand Slam. But the journey has been filled by obstacles, far beyond the normal realm of an already challenging sport. The Grand Slam is awarded to runners who complete the Oxfam Trailwalker (OTW), The North Face 100 (TNF), the Vibram Hong Kong 100 (HK100) and the TransLantau (TL) in four consecutive months. For Cooper, it is about more than the physical challenge. Her partner, and father of her daughter, Nic Tinworth,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3050462/nia-cooper-learns-life-lessons-and-letting-go?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3050462/nia-cooper-learns-life-lessons-and-letting-go?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Feb 2020 08:01:01 +0000 The Hong Kong Mountain Bike Association is excited to see the government invest time and money into mountain bike trail building, but as the government enters phase two of its project, HKMBA head Nick Dover hopes it will not repeat the mistakes of phase one. In 2008, the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) conducted a feasibility study and then began constructing a 4km loop around Chi Ma Wan Peninsula, Lantau, which was phase one. They are now building a 6km mountain bike park,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/extreme-sports/article/3049980/new-hong-kong-mountain-bike-projects-frustrated-red?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/extreme-sports/article/3049980/new-hong-kong-mountain-bike-projects-frustrated-red?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Feb 2020 05:51:18 +0000 Sarah Pemberton’s tenacity is rare even among ultra runners. At just 26 years old, she has already attempted the 298km Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge (HK4TUC) three times, finally completing it on her most recent attempt over Lunar New Year. She looks back at her first attempt, in 2018, when she trained without a rigid programme or running data, and thinks she was naive, and in denial about just how fit she needed to be. On her second attempt, in 2019, Pemberton was in great shape and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3049534/hong-kong-four-trails-persevering-sarah-pemberton-puts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3049534/hong-kong-four-trails-persevering-sarah-pemberton-puts?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 08 Feb 2020 01:00:14 +0000 Yang Feifei was just one week away from the 298km Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge (HK4TUC) when she dropped out of the Vibram Hong Kong 100km at 70km. Understandably, it was a blow to her confidence. In December 2019, Yang was in a minor car accident, and she also suffered from an unexplained skin rash. The combination of the two affected her training, so she was undercooked. “I wrote a very long email with plenty of excuses why I have to quit the HK4TUC before even starting,” Yang said.... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3049365/hong-kong-four-trails-yang-feifei-wrote-list-excuses?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3049365/hong-kong-four-trails-yang-feifei-wrote-list-excuses?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Feb 2020 02:00:09 +0000 Feeling like you’re working too hard on a run? Listen to some fast tunes, says researchers. As trail runners, we all have different auditory preferences. One thing many of us is likely to have wondered is whether our musical choices while running are merely matters of preference, or whether they actually have a direct impact on physical performance. Some people – myself included – find listening to music while running distracting. I need to be able to listen to my own breathing and footsteps to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3049277/how-music-tempo-helps-runners-push-themselves-further?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3049277/how-music-tempo-helps-runners-push-themselves-further?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Feb 2020 03:55:23 +0000 Virginie Goethals’ work for her refugee charity Rebuild, Unite, Nurture (RUN) is so physically and mentally draining that she considers a chance to spend time with herself a holiday, even if that time is spent running a 298km unsupported ultramarathon. Goethals, 43, is one of four women to have survived the Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge (HK4TUC) over the Lunar New Year. The day after she finished, Goethals was straight back to work as refugees in Hong Kong needed her attention in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3049128/hong-kong-four-trails-virginie-goethals-refugee-charity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3049128/hong-kong-four-trails-virginie-goethals-refugee-charity?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Feb 2020 01:00:16 +0000 Cheung Man-yee was just 50km into the mammoth 298km Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge (HK4TUC) when she twisted her left ankle. “I fell on the floor and I thought ‘will I end my challenge so early?’ But I wouldn’t let it happen. It’s just too stupid,” she said. Cheung, 30, picked her self up and soldiered on. She survived the challenge in 62 hours and 47 minutes. The HK4TUC, which takes place over Lunar New Year, connects the major trails in Hong Kong – the MacLehose, Wilson, Hong Kong and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3049092/hong-kong-four-trails-cheung-man-yee-refuses-let?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3049092/hong-kong-four-trails-cheung-man-yee-refuses-let?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 05 Feb 2020 04:00:09 +0000