Local runners excited to host international stars on home turf
The Hong Kong 100 is the first stop in the newly established Ultra Trail World Tour
Think how long it would take to run a marathon. Now multiply the time by two and a half, and add some for hiking up treacherous hills, battling nauseating hunger and exhaustion.
For ultrarunners assembling in Hong Kong next Saturday for the fourth edition of the 100 kilometre Vibram Hong Kong 100, a marathon is just a warm-up. And ultrarunning - racing distances of more than 42 kilometres - is a serious international sport.
The Hong Kong 100 is the first stop in the newly established Ultra Trail World Tour (UTWT), offering an international circuit of races over 100 kilometres throughout the year, a ranking system and the chance to win the title of "Ultra Trail World Tour 2014 champion".
I hope that people see what's great about trail running here - beautiful technical trails, difficult mountain climbs and passionate people - and not just the negatives
Elite runners from Europe, America, Oceania and the rest of Asia will take part in the race, which will see 1,600 runners traverse from the east to the west of the city over parts of the MacLehose Trail.
Among them are Dave Mackey, 2011 Ultrarunning magazine North American Ultrarunner of the Year, Jez Bragg, 2010 Ultra Trail Mont Blanc winner, France's Antoine Guillon and New Zealand's Vajin Armstrong.
In the women, Italy's Francesa Canepa, who recently won a 330 kilometre mountain race in Italy last year will be joined by American speedster Cassie Scallon, who recently clocked a mere 7:47 to run a hilly 80 kilometre race, the Lake Sonoma 50 miler.
Local runners are intrigued - not to mention proud of their city.
"I am excited to see top elite runners coming to town to explore the uniqueness of Hong Kong-style trails - raw trails, beaches and village paths at daytime, plus some big climbs with well-lit urban residential area as backdrop," says Rico Long Sing-lee, who will take part.