New World Harbour Race hits its stride on new route for second time
- After a swimmer died during the 2016 edition of the race, organisers went through a full review
- A route change in 2017 seems to have reinvigorated the race
New World Harbour Race organisers seem to have all the kinks worked out on the competition’s new route. The 2018 iteration drew positive reviews once again from swimmers, the second consecutive time the race has been held at its original route.
The government gave organisers the green light in 2017 after lower E coli readings to move the route back to Tsim Sha Tsui Public Pier south to the Wan Chai Golden Bauhinia Square Public Pier. Previously the race had been held from Sam Ka Tsuen pier in Lei Yue Mun, Kowloon, ending at the Quarry Bay Park, however it was marred by controversy in 2016 when a man died while competing. The incident prompted a full review of the competition which included a number of changes including multiple measures to ease congestion. Approximately 3,600 racers completed the swim Sunday (October 21) in relatively mild conditions which included light wind and overcast skies.
First held in 1906, the event went on for 70 years before a break, and was revived in 2011. Competitors and leisure swimmers made the 1,000 metre trek starting in the morning at 8am guided by boats and kayakers.
For Gillian Castka, who came third in the over 50s category, the swim is a way to continue staying active. She was one of the top marathon runners in the UK in the 1980s and has had impressive performances in the Hong Kong marathon, but has switched to swimming to protect her knees.
“I’m over 60,” she said. “When I was over 50 I had muscles, I had legs, I had hormones! But now, my legs are scrawny.”