https://www.scmp.com/rss/502076/feed What, where, how: all you need to know about hiking and running. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Charmaine Yu Charmaine Yu Retired civil engineer Lim Shyang Guey will don his running shoes on March 28 for a 2,200km (1,367-mile) journey around Peninsular Malaysia. The 90-day “Run for Gold” campaign is Lim’s attempt to finish a gruelling circuit by June 22 – his 67th birthday. The inspiration for this challenge comes from profound loss. In November 2023, Lim and his wife, Goh Joo Lee, were celebrating her completion of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Half Marathon – her first ever race. But soon after, she began to... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3347978/66-year-old-sets-2200km-run-around-peninsular-malaysia-honour-his-wife?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3347978/66-year-old-sets-2200km-run-around-peninsular-malaysia-honour-his-wife?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 23:15:13 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Scott Pugh said he could now “focus on and do something else with my life” after finally completing the Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge (HK4TUC) last week. Last Wednesday, at a quarter to 4.00pm, Pugh crossed the finish line in Mui Wo before landing that long-awaited kiss on the iconic green postbox, six years after his second failed attempt to conquer the 298-kilometre non-stop ultra-marathon, which covers Hong Kong’s four major trails – MacLehose, Wilson, Hong Kong and Lantau – and comes... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3344321/proud-hong-kong-4-trails-ultra-challenge-finisher-can-now-do-something-else-my-life?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3344321/proud-hong-kong-4-trails-ultra-challenge-finisher-can-now-do-something-else-my-life?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 10:00:16 +0000 Sasha Gonzales Sasha Gonzales Hong Kong actors Chow Yun-fat, 70, Kent Cheng, 74, Lau Kong, 79, and Paw Hee-ching, 76, made headlines in January for being among the oldest participants in the 10km event at the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2026. In 2025, the then 69-year-old Chow ran the half-marathon at the event, completing the 13.1-mile (21km) race in two hours, 24 minutes and 33 seconds. Recently, a growing number of people in their sixties, seventies, eighties and older have been in the news for taking part in... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3342586/how-people-70-year-old-chow-yun-fat-keep-pushing-their-endurance-limits-they-age?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3342586/how-people-70-year-old-chow-yun-fat-keep-pushing-their-endurance-limits-they-age?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Feb 2026 04:45:07 +0000 Lily Canter Lily Canter After his son’s death by suicide, life came to a standstill for Tony Bruno for nearly two years. “I didn’t do anything, just literally nothing, just lying around, grieving,” he says. Before the tragedy, Bruno had been active, describing himself as “a bit of a walker, hiker, runner”. But losing his 15-year-old son, Jamie, in 2017 stopped him in his tracks. It was walking that eventually helped him through his bereavement. “I slowly but surely got back into it,” Bruno says. “It did help an awful... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3342368/walking-saved-him-after-sons-suicide-now-his-hong-kong-trail-walk-raises-millions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3342368/walking-saved-him-after-sons-suicide-now-his-hong-kong-trail-walk-raises-millions?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Feb 2026 04:45:36 +0000 Lily Canter Lily Canter In a city obsessed with efficiency, optimisation and results, walking has rarely been focused on as a health intervention. Yet across Hong Kong, a quiet reframing is taking place. Increasingly, it is being described not as light exercise or leisure, but as a form of everyday medicine, one that supports mental health, recovery from illness and ageing well, without injury or pressure. Stephanie Lown, founder of hiking group Exploring Dogs, says walking offers a rare combination of movement,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3342052/how-walking-hong-kong-helping-cancer-recovery-and-mental-health?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3342052/how-walking-hong-kong-helping-cancer-recovery-and-mental-health?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Feb 2026 02:59:19 +0000 Lily Canter Lily Canter While planning to run an ultra-marathon along the historic Silk Road, Ria Xi was alarmed when AI warned her about taking NSAIDs – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – while ultra-running. She jumped onto Instagram to tell her 38,000 followers “do not take NSAIDs” when running long distances because of the impact they can have on blood flow to the kidneys. Beijing-born Xi was prompted to make the “public service announcement” after she had previously been told, while seeking treatment for knee... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3341642/why-nsaids-ibuprofen-and-naproxen-might-be-bad-news-long-distance-runners?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3341642/why-nsaids-ibuprofen-and-naproxen-might-be-bad-news-long-distance-runners?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 Jan 2026 23:15:07 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li The girlfriend of Hong Kong triathlete Mark Yu Shing‑him got down on one knee and proposed at the finish line of the Anta Guanjun Hong Kong 100, turning her gruelling 93km, 5,028 metre‑elevation debut into a double celebration. Karen Zeto Suet‑ching, a full‑time nurse, crossed the finish line in 19 hours, 37 minutes and 49 seconds to claim a silver award despite racing with a completely torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Moments after finishing, she knelt down on one knee and presented Yu... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3341522/wedding-bells-follow-womens-silver-hong-kong-100-star-pops-question-finish-line?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3341522/wedding-bells-follow-womens-silver-hong-kong-100-star-pops-question-finish-line?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Jan 2026 09:30:08 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara There was an extraordinary end to the women’s Anta Guanjun Hong Kong 100 on Saturday, when Veronika Leng and Hau Ha crossed the line together to share first place following more than 10 hours of racing. Slovakian Leng, who is based in Hong Kong, reeled in Ha over the second half of the 93-kilometre course after trailing her Vietnamese rival by 13 minutes and 57 seconds at the 49km checkpoint. The pair ultimately chose not to contest first position, instead finishing hand in hand in a time of 10... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3341151/extraordinary-end-womens-anta-guanjun-hong-kong-100-run-winners-finish-hand-hand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3341151/extraordinary-end-womens-anta-guanjun-hong-kong-100-run-winners-finish-hand-hand?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 Jan 2026 07:08:47 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara As he stripped back his training ahead of tackling the intimidating Anta Guanjun Hong Kong 100 on Saturday, Dakota Jones felt “fat and slow, and questioned whether every niggle was an injury”. That physical and mental discomfort is common among athletes tapering before races, but Jones has learned to “let it go … it’s normal, I’m in shape and I’ve enough experience that I’m pretty chilled”. Preparing for his Hong Kong debut, the American has claimed multiple major trail and ultra-running race... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3340928/american-hong-kong-100-challenger-shameful-us-government-and-mastering-chopin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3340928/american-hong-kong-100-challenger-shameful-us-government-and-mastering-chopin?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Jan 2026 06:00:12 +0000 Ada Li,Paul McNamara Ada Li,Paul McNamara Wu Yongbo has pledged to finish this year’s Anta Guanjun Hong Kong 100 “Grand Sam” with no regrets, as the durable mainland China athlete prepares to defend the title he won 12 months ago. The “Grand Sam”, which was launched in 2023, is contested by athletes who compete in all three daunting trail races over the three-day event. It was christened in honour of Sam Tam, the first runner to sign up for the three-race option. It also sounds like saam, the Cantonese word for three. Wu will begin his... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3340735/anta-guanjun-hong-kong-100-chinese-runner-wu-yongbo-vows-no-regrets-title-defence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3340735/anta-guanjun-hong-kong-100-chinese-runner-wu-yongbo-vows-no-regrets-title-defence?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Jan 2026 14:35:31 +0000 Yuanyue Dang Yuanyue Dang Chinese authorities have again stressed that hiking on the deadly Aotai Line in northwest China is illegal after three more people died on what Chinese media have described as the country’s “most dangerous hiking route”. “It is strictly forbidden to conduct unauthorised hiking traverses and similar activities [on the Aotai trail],” the General Administration of Sport’s mountaineering management centre said in a notice on Friday. “Recently, five individuals undertook an unauthorised crossing of... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3339504/strictly-forbidden-china-warns-hikers-aotai-line-after-3-die-infamous-trail?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3339504/strictly-forbidden-china-warns-hikers-aotai-line-after-3-die-infamous-trail?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Jan 2026 11:45:03 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Travelling is as much about impressing others as about experiencing for many social media users nowadays. The temptation to go the extra mile to show off something extraordinary can be overpowering, so much so that it may eclipse common sense and result in injuries or even fatal mishaps. The tragic death of a mainland visitor in Sai Kung on New Year’s Eve – reportedly after slipping from a cliff while taking pictures – is yet another grim reminder of the risk that too many are willing to take... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3338512/tourists-must-put-safety-first-quest-perfect-photo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3338512/tourists-must-put-safety-first-quest-perfect-photo?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Jan 2026 22:45:08 +0000 Lily Canter Lily Canter It was the dead of night, four days into a journey to trek 5,699 kilometres (3,541 miles) across America alone, when hiker Jessica Guo realised a mountain lion was following her. She first saw its glowing eyes close to the only water source for dozens of kilometres – one she would have liked to use to refill her supplies. She had nowhere to hide. “What you’re supposed to do when you see a mountain lion is talk to them very directly and aggressively. You want to back away, facing them and keep... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3336004/how-hiking-5700km-solo-across-america-put-life-perspective-young-consultant?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3336004/how-hiking-5700km-solo-across-america-put-life-perspective-young-consultant?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 Dec 2025 11:15:08 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Hundreds of mainland Chinese tourists flocked to Hong Kong’s popular Sunset Peak on Saturday, drawn by scenic silver grass and an album cover by Cantopop star Eason Chan from 15 years ago, with hikers mostly avoiding runners taking part in a high-profile international trail race. Authorities had earlier warned hikers to be mindful of competitors in the TransLantau by UTMB event, four challenging races on Lantau Island of 25km, 50km, 80km and 120km distances being held from Friday to Sunday. Some... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3332887/be-mindful-trail-runners-passing-hong-kongs-sunset-peak-hikers-told?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3332887/be-mindful-trail-runners-passing-hong-kongs-sunset-peak-hikers-told?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 15 Nov 2025 00:00:21 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li Hong Kong ultra-marathon star Ferdinand Tsang Fuk-cheung will not defend his TransLantau 100km crown this year after deciding to take a break from competing after a testing time at the 2025 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in September. “I need to take a break and let my body reset,” said the 31-year-old, who plans to return for next year’s race. “I am focusing on coaching and bringing students to races.” Meanwhile, Tsang Chun-kit, another Hong Kong runner at the world event in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3332622/translantau-utmb-hong-kong-ultra-marathoner-ferdinand-tsang-sit-it-out-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3332622/translantau-utmb-hong-kong-ultra-marathoner-ferdinand-tsang-sit-it-out-year?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Nov 2025 09:30:11 +0000 Lily Canter Lily Canter When her relationship ended last year, Ria Xi did what many heartbroken twenty-somethings do: she went for a run. “For my 25th birthday, I decided to run every day for 30 days. It was the only thing I could hold onto. The only thing that reminded me I had control.” Soon after her 30-day streak, running snowballed into an obsession, and she began chasing world records after quitting her Silicon Valley tech job. Within a year, Beijing-born Xi had set a world first in Egypt, completing a 567km... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3331773/after-break-beijing-born-tech-turned-ultrarunner-plans-ai-backed-silk-road-trek?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3331773/after-break-beijing-born-tech-turned-ultrarunner-plans-ai-backed-silk-road-trek?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 09 Nov 2025 09:15:13 +0000 Yuki Tsang,Regina de Luna Yuki Tsang,Regina de Luna The HK4TUC is one of the hardest ultra-marathons on Earth. It connects all four of Hong Kong’s major trails – MacLehose, Wilson, Hong Kong and Lantau in one go. There are no checkpoints or support allowed, though runners have help travelling between the trails. If they reach the end in sub-60 hours, they are deemed a “finisher”. If they reach the end in sub-72 hours, they are deemed a “survivor”. Sarah Pemberton, a Hong Kong-born and raised runner, has attempted to do it not once, but four... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/extreme-sports/article/3331142/four-trails-one-hardest-ultra-marathons-earth-and-racer-tried-it-4-times?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/extreme-sports/article/3331142/four-trails-one-hardest-ultra-marathons-earth-and-racer-tried-it-4-times?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 01 Nov 2025 14:38:30 +0000 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Let’s just get this out of the way: hiking through California’s Yosemite Valley, whether it be to the Vernal and Nevada falls or through Cook’s Meadow, is a mesmerising and special experience. The hulking granite walls will remind you how small you are – and how remarkable our world is. Listening as waterfalls thunder down the mountain can place you in a meditative trance if you let it. The beauty of the valley is the best kind of sensory overload. It’s the reason that, at times, Yosemite can... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3326466/hiking-yosemite-along-lesser-known-trails-where-wildlife-epic-views-and-solitude-abound?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3326466/hiking-yosemite-along-lesser-known-trails-where-wildlife-epic-views-and-solitude-abound?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Sep 2025 20:15:07 +0000 Bhakti Mathur Bhakti Mathur Douglas Bray has overcome more challenges than most of us in the last four years. The Hong Kong business owner was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer in September 2021. Three months later, he and his wife separated. A few weeks after that, he was in a scooter accident and suffered a serious tear in the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. Here is how, after hitting rock bottom, Bray took charge of his physical and mental health and underwent a transformation to compete in daunting athletic... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3324822/how-hong-kong-bone-cancer-survivor-overcame-illness-and-divorce-be-stronger-ever?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3324822/how-hong-kong-bone-cancer-survivor-overcame-illness-and-divorce-be-stronger-ever?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Sep 2025 03:00:08 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Organisers of the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon have unveiled details of the 2026 edition, and said they would aim to prevent a repeat of this year’s bib-swapping controversies by reminding runners to check their race numbers. The event will also be given a stronger overseas marketing push in an attempt to attract visiting runners, the organisers said. This year’s event in February ended with the disqualifications of the winner and runner-up of the half-marathon, as well as the second... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3323221/hong-kong-marathons-plan-stop-bib-swap-controversies-ask-runners-check?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3323221/hong-kong-marathons-plan-stop-bib-swap-controversies-ask-runners-check?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Aug 2025 10:55:17 +0000 Yuke Xie Yuke Xie Xtep International Holdings’ interim earnings surged to a record, as the sportswear maker and distributor of the Saucony brand of running shoes benefited from the new-found popularity of marathons and trail running in China. Net profit rose to a record 913.6 million yuan (US$127.3 million) in the first half, 6.4 per cent more than the revised interim earnings last year, Xtep said in a statement on Monday. Sales increased 7.1 per cent to 6.84 billion yuan, from the restated revenue of 6.38... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3322241/xtep-posts-record-interim-profit-chinas-marathon-boom-boosts-sales-saucony-shoes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3322241/xtep-posts-record-interim-profit-chinas-marathon-boom-boosts-sales-saucony-shoes?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2025 10:30:24 +0000 Marco Ferrarese Marco Ferrarese No matter how hard I turn the throttle, the most macho sound coming from this rental e-moped is a gentle whirring, not the throaty roar I am used to when renting motorbikes elsewhere in Asia. But even if green electric technology has stripped the growl from one of my favourite modes of travel, I have found somewhere in the southern Chinese countryside I can ride without a driving licence. And I have found a spot that seems perfect for motorised travel – offbeat and less visited. In Guizhou’s... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/travel/article/3315919/ride-through-wanfenglin-guizhous-best-kept-secret?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/travel/article/3315919/ride-through-wanfenglin-guizhous-best-kept-secret?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Jul 2025 23:00:07 +0000 The Korea Times The Korea Times Eating street food and shopping for K-pop merchandise and cosmetics tops to-do lists for many people travelling to Korea, but a new experience is climbing in popularity. Hiking Korea’s urban mountains, often dubbed “K-hiking”, has quickly become one of the most unexpected yet popular activities among international tourists. Searching hashtags like #seoulhiking, #hikingtourism or #hikinginseoul on Instagram now turns up more than 10,000 posts. Seoul is a particularly popular destination for urban... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3316317/why-urban-hiking-korea-getting-so-popular-plus-seouls-top-3-mountains?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3316317/why-urban-hiking-korea-getting-so-popular-plus-seouls-top-3-mountains?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Jun 2025 23:15:07 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer A group of Hong Kong students has taken on a 40-kilometre swim and hike across one of the city’s unique trails to help rid the beaches of plastic washed up on the shore. Five students from Malvern College hiked the first four sections of the Argyle Ross Trail from June 21 to 24, starting at Kat O, also known as Crooked Island, in the far northeastern waters of the New Territories. The group embarked on the expedition as part of their Hong Kong Award for Young People (AYP), which aims to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3316258/students-swim-hike-and-clean-their-way-across-hong-kong-part-youth-award-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3316258/students-swim-hike-and-clean-their-way-across-hong-kong-part-youth-award-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Jun 2025 05:49:05 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport It was meant to be her husband’s big day, but instead it was Wong Mei-yan who stole the show at the Langkawi International Ultra Run, becoming the fastest overall finisher in the 100km Round Island Ultra-Road. The Hongkonger, better known for her marathon and trail-running exploits, clocked a blistering 10 hours, 29 minutes and 38 seconds, not only topping the women’s field but also outrunning all male contenders. What made Wong’s triumph all the more remarkable was the fact it was her first... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3315579/langkawi-international-ultra-run-hong-kongs-wong-fastest-woman-and-beats-men-too?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3315579/langkawi-international-ultra-run-hong-kongs-wong-fastest-woman-and-beats-men-too?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Jun 2025 04:12:24 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The award-winning documentary Four Trails, which depicts a gruelling 298km (185-mile) ultra-running challenge along Hong Kong’s top hiking routes, has been a surprise box office hit. The film showcases the city’s stunning scenery. This has not been lost on the government as it looks to develop a greater variety of tourist attractions to meet rising demand from visitors for “in-depth” experiences. Among nine “hotspots” unveiled last month was “four peaks” tourism, inspired by the documentary,... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3315358/let-hong-kongs-prized-trails-lead-beauty-not-ugliness?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3315358/let-hong-kongs-prized-trails-lead-beauty-not-ugliness?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Jun 2025 00:45:06 +0000 Cat Nelson Cat Nelson This week’s main feature is a lesson in how almost every quotidian – might I say, boring – detail actually holds a fascinating story. You’ve been to many a cha chaan teng, but how often have you given any thought to the mismatched tiles plastering the walls? For artist Adrian Wong Ho-yin, Hong Kong’s off-kilter tiles became the inspiration for his current show at Oil Street Art Space in North Point. He describes how these ceramic pieces evoked the feeling of “looking through a wormhole into the... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3314280/week-postmag-art-tiles-getting-lost-translation-and-marathon-star?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3314280/week-postmag-art-tiles-getting-lost-translation-and-marathon-star?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Jun 2025 22:15:07 +0000 Bibek Bhandari Bibek Bhandari Three days before the Hong Kong 100 Ultra Marathon in January, Sunmaya Budha was racing against time to reach the city due to visa delays. She was nearly 3,000km away, in Nepal’s mountainous Jumla district. She first had to catch a flight from its tiny, weather-dependent airstrip to another city, then to the capital, Kathmandu, and finally onwards to Hong Kong. Within 48 hours of landing, however, Budha did not just run the 103km race along the Sai Kung Peninsula and across Hong Kong’s forests,... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3314284/ultra-marathon-sensation-sunmaya-budha-blazes-trail-women-follow?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3314284/ultra-marathon-sensation-sunmaya-budha-blazes-trail-women-follow?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Jun 2025 20:15:07 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer A veteran Hong Kong trail runner has launched an app which automatically sends distress signals if a hiker gets into difficulty. Rainer Duespohl, who has explored the city’s trails for more than 17 years and is on the board of the International Trail Running Association (ITRA), launched the WayMe app this week, hoping to add an extra layer of safety to the community. WayMe, which uses real-time location monitoring to send out warnings to users’ emergency contacts if something goes wrong, comes... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/article/3314010/hong-kong-trail-runners-app-aims-prevent-hiking-emergencies-they-happen?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/article/3314010/hong-kong-trail-runners-app-aims-prevent-hiking-emergencies-they-happen?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Jun 2025 00:00:12 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Athletics bosses have defended their handling of a trail race that runners called “crazy and dangerous”, adding if competitors had concerns they should not have taken part. Nearly a week after complaints first surfaced on social media over the Hong Kong Trail Championships in Tai Mei Tuk, organisers issued a statement on Friday dismissing any criticism and pointing to a host of other races that had also been held in late May. However, the Hong Kong, China Association of Athletics Affiliates... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3312453/hong-kong-athletics-bosses-dismiss-trail-runners-complaints-over-crazy-dangerous-race?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3312453/hong-kong-athletics-bosses-dismiss-trail-runners-complaints-over-crazy-dangerous-race?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 May 2025 09:30:07 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg The makers of a documentary about one of the world’s toughest trail races that is set in Hong Kong said they were in talks to distribute their movie globally after it became a surprise hit. Four Trails showcases the gruelling 298-kilometre (185-mile) Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge, and a select group of trail runners who have bravely attempted it. Since its theatrical release in December, the 101-minute-long movie has pulled in more than HK$10 million (US$1.3 million) in box office... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3312091/makers-surprise-hong-kong-hit-movie-four-trails-talks-over-worldwide-distribution?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3312091/makers-surprise-hong-kong-hit-movie-four-trails-talks-over-worldwide-distribution?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 May 2025 07:00:23 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Members of Hong Kong’s trail running community have described the local athletics association’s decision to host a world championship qualifying race in May as “crazy and dangerous”, saying it put runners’ health at risk. On Sunday, hundreds of athletes competed in a 62.4km (38.8-mile) race at the Hong Kong Trail Championships in Tai Mei Tuk, chasing qualification for the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Spain in September. There was also a short-course race of 34.3km, and an... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3311876/hong-kong-trail-runners-accuse-officials-hosting-crazy-and-dangerous-race?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3311876/hong-kong-trail-runners-accuse-officials-hosting-crazy-and-dangerous-race?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 May 2025 00:00:29 +0000 Erika Na Erika Na It is a drizzly and overcast Saturday morning in Hong Kong where, despite the gusting winds, many runners are training along the Central Harbourfront. At the AIA Vitality Hub – a venue on the harbourfront that offers free daily health and fitness classes – a dozen runners have gathered for an hour-long class led by ultrarunner Wong Chun-kiu. At 40, Wong is fit, experienced and ready to share the skills he has learned. He opens the session with stretching and running drills. “When you run, try to... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3310419/hong-kong-ultrarunner-who-holds-free-classes-central-his-epic-endurance-feats?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3310419/hong-kong-ultrarunner-who-holds-free-classes-central-his-epic-endurance-feats?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 May 2025 23:45:08 +0000 Andrew Lam Siu-Lo Andrew Lam Siu-Lo Coldplay’s recent concerts at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium sparked a wave of excitement – but for bassist Guy Berryman, the city’s allure extended beyond the stage. After the shows, he explored Hong Kong’s natural beauty, including hiking the renowned Dragon’s Back trail – reflecting the popularity of the city’s mountain-and-sea scenery among global travellers. How can Hong Kong improve as a world-class hiking destination? One promising solution lies in deploying drones to improve trail safety... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3308956/drones-can-take-hong-kong-hiking-experience-new-heights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3308956/drones-can-take-hong-kong-hiking-experience-new-heights?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 May 2025 01:30:10 +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 Surfers all over the world hail Portugal’s Atlantic coast as one of the most exhilarating places to ride the waves. So a combined surfing and hiking holiday on Portugal’s southern coastline in the Alentejo region would seem like an obvious choice. However, hikers quickly forget about surfing as they are wowed by the views along the Trilho dos Pescadores, or Fisherman’s Trail. The long sandy São Torpes beach beckons at the south of the coastal town of Sines. Some may be inclined to stop for a... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3307846/hike-southern-portugals-surf-paradise-fishermans-trail-stunning-ocean-views?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3307846/hike-southern-portugals-surf-paradise-fishermans-trail-stunning-ocean-views?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Apr 2025 08:15:08 +0000 I grew up in a remote area of Kenya, called Nandi County. School was very far away, so usually we would just walk. We’d go in the morning, about 7km. If we were late, I would just start to run. In Kenya, schools don’t provide food, so for lunch I would go back home and then again to school after. From this habit of going back and forth, I would cover almost 14 extra kilometres per day. I was seven when I started running. From that age, there were school running competitions and I thought I... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/passions/article/3306533/kenyan-runners-14km-daily-journey-hong-kong-marathon-success?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/passions/article/3306533/kenyan-runners-14km-daily-journey-hong-kong-marathon-success?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Apr 2025 08:00:08 +0000 As the weather turns warmer, picnic gatherings in Hong Kong’s numerous countryside beauty spots – especially when combined with hiking, swimming and other outdoor activities – become a keenly anticipated, much-enjoyed seasonal pleasure. For many local urbanites, however, the mere prospect of time spent outdoors in the company of bugs, beetles, butterflies, moths and other countryside inhabitants – much less wasps and mosquitoes – is deeply unwelcome. For these fussy folk, wild birds are merely... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3305019/springtime-picnics-pleasure-scenic-side-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3305019/springtime-picnics-pleasure-scenic-side-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Apr 2025 01:00:17 +0000 For hours already, the hikers have been trudging uphill, above them a fantastically starry night sky. Some of the group have been hiking with heavy backpacks for weeks, others only a few days with lighter burdens. But all of them have one common goal: to be standing atop Mount Sonder for the next sunrise. The nighttime ascent is the final highlight of this very Australian pilgrimage, the 223km (140-mile) Larapinta Trail from the desert city of Alice Springs through the West MacDonnell Range, a... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3303709/hike-through-australian-outbacks-red-centre-reveals-scenery-straight-out-painting?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3303709/hike-through-australian-outbacks-red-centre-reveals-scenery-straight-out-painting?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Mar 2025 23:15:06 +0000 Japanese novelist and marathon runner Haruki Murakami once wrote: “Most runners run not because they want to live longer, but because they want to live life to the fullest.” More than an exercise, running is a means to know yourself, your limits and capability, and develop your mental and physical strengths. Whether at home or abroad, running is also one of the best ways to learn about our environment. If you want to dive deeply into a city beyond the advertised landmarks and tourist... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3301812/hong-kong-needs-more-inspiring-and-engaging-marathon-route?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3301812/hong-kong-needs-more-inspiring-and-engaging-marathon-route?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Mar 2025 01:30:08 +0000 Tour operators leading treks to Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia have suggested low-risk “adventure” packages for older tourists, rather than imposing an age limit on those seeking to conquer the famed 4,095-metre (13,435ft) peak, following the death of a British national in his 70s. Sabah Tourism Minister Christina Liew on Monday said authorities were contemplating an age restriction for hikers after a spate of deaths over the past eight months, including the unnamed British national, who died after... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3301115/after-tourist-death-malaysias-mount-kinabalu-guides-urge-senior-friendly-tours?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3301115/after-tourist-death-malaysias-mount-kinabalu-guides-urge-senior-friendly-tours?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 05 Mar 2025 05:07:24 +0000 Martin Williams Martin Williams On a sunny afternoon this January, south Lantau’s Cheung Sha Beach was quiet, with few people other than a couple sunbathing by the trees, another strolling along the sand. Slowly, a yacht approached from the southeastern horizon and rode the breeze to within a couple of hundred metres from shore. Out dropped an inflatable kayak, then onto that a man and a woman in shorts and T-shirts who began paddling towards the beach. Nearing the shore, the kayak was propelled forward on a wave and tossed... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/passions/article/3300389/sailors-and-runners-show-their-mettle-hong-kongs-four-peaks-race?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/passions/article/3300389/sailors-and-runners-show-their-mettle-hong-kongs-four-peaks-race?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Feb 2025 21:00:09 +0000 In case you are in Hong Kong and still looking for some last-minute romantic weekend ideas, consider the new Bridget Jones movie, a Valentine’s Day-themed fashion collection and a new dining experience – and see what else we recommend for the weekend. 1. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy Crack out the chardonnay. Bridget Jones is back. Usually, a fourth film in a series does not inspire confidence, and the third Bridget Jones instalment, 2016’s Bridget Jones’ Baby, was something of a letdown.... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3298685/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-february-14-16?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3298685/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-february-14-16?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Feb 2025 09:15:08 +0000 A brutal slog, day after day and sleep-deprived, surrounded by majestic peaks, an abundance of nature and spectacular cityscapes. That description of the Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge also applied to residing in the city generally for Glen Yick Kin-ho, until he was inspired to reject the daily grind in search of a better life balance – a backstory that helped earn him a place in this year’s race, set to start on Wednesday. His immediate aim is to become, at 25, the youngest to complete... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3296623/hong-kong-four-trails-how-1-runner-escaped-rat-race-made-spreadsheet-ultra-race?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3296623/hong-kong-four-trails-how-1-runner-escaped-rat-race-made-spreadsheet-ultra-race?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Jan 2025 11:47:08 +0000 On Wednesday, as millions of people celebrate the Lunar New Year, Kimmy Leung Hong-kiu will attempt to become the third woman to finish the Hong Kong Four Trail Ultra Challenge (Four Trails) in less than 60 hours. Considered one of the world’s most brutal trail runs, competitors must traverse the MacLehose, Wilson, Hong Kong and Lantau Trails all in reverse. In total, it is 298km (185 miles) and runners ascend 14,500 metres of cumulative elevation. So, how do you train to run 298km? Well,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3296288/hongkonger-puts-lunar-new-year-hold-run-one-worlds-hardest-trail-races?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3296288/hongkonger-puts-lunar-new-year-hold-run-one-worlds-hardest-trail-races?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Jan 2025 01:30:22 +0000 The winners of the Anta Guanjun Hong Kong 100 (HK100) ultra-marathon smashed course records in both the men’s and women’s races, with two runners tackling the 103km (64-mile) race in under 10 hours for the first time. In the men’s race, Meng Guangfu, from mainland China, finished in nine hours, 43 minutes and 10 seconds to claim the HK100 title in back-to-back years. His time was more than 17 minutes faster than You Peiquan’s previous course record of 10:00:17, set in 2020. In the women’s event,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3295331/hk100-records-smashed-mens-womens-races-two-runners-finishing-under-10-hours?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3295331/hk100-records-smashed-mens-womens-races-two-runners-finishing-under-10-hours?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Jan 2025 12:22:27 +0000 The formidable Veronika Leng said she hoped her world-class trail running exploits would “inspire other women”, as the Slovakian targeted “home” glory in Saturday’s Anta Guanjun Hong Kong 100 (HK100) ultra-marathon. Leng, who has lived in Hong Kong for five years, questioned after giving birth to her daughter in 2023 whether she had the motivation to return to elite competition. After dispelling those doubts, Leng won last November’s TransLantau 50km (31 miles) race. Her sights this weekend are... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3294911/hk100-ultra-marathon-runner-hopes-her-elite-exploits-after-giving-birth-inspire-women?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3294911/hk100-ultra-marathon-runner-hopes-her-elite-exploits-after-giving-birth-inspire-women?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Jan 2025 12:30:00 +0000 From snake-themed events to whether your luck is in: discover all you need to know about the coming Lunar New Year in our Year of the Snake 2025 series. If you are looking for a “safe” outing in Hong Kong on the third day of the Lunar New Year – considered an ominous day according to folklore – then head to Wildtrek Hong Kong’s Chinese New Year Snake Tour 2025. The tour is not so much a tour as it is a pair of trail races through Sai Kung East and West country parks, in the New Territories, on... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3292143/join-race-snakes-through-hong-kong-country-parks-avoid-run-loved-ones?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3292143/join-race-snakes-through-hong-kong-country-parks-avoid-run-loved-ones?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Dec 2024 09:15:11 +0000 It is a life, death and disaster hike. Yet it is also a stroll in the park. The route in question is the Redwood Loop Trail, part of Big Basin Redwoods State Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains, in the US state of California. Take one lap around the 1km (0.62-mile) loop and you will see, amid the fading ravages of fire, what a vast difference four years can make in the natural world. The state park, California’s oldest, is also the largest stand of ancient coast redwoods south of San Francisco. It... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3292029/us-state-park-ravaged-fire-now-offers-unique-hikes-among-jet-black-charred-trees?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3292029/us-state-park-ravaged-fire-now-offers-unique-hikes-among-jet-black-charred-trees?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Dec 2024 03:15:07 +0000 It is not exactly a holiday blockbuster but Four Trails, a documentary about a Hong Kong ultra-running challenge held over the three-day Lunar New Year holiday in 2021, has been quietly selling out a number of its limited showings since its December 6 release. The 101-minute documentary was condensed from more than 200 hours of footage filmed before, during and after the 2021 Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge (HK4TUC), the 10th-anniversary edition of the event that invited back only those... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3291174/how-filming-four-trails-about-298km-hong-kong-ultra-run-was-almost-hard-race?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3291174/how-filming-four-trails-about-298km-hong-kong-ultra-run-was-almost-hard-race?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Dec 2024 03:15:07 +0000