Topic

Oxfam Trailwalkeri

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 Kung Country Park and ends at Tai Tong Holiday Camp in Tai Lam Country Park, Yuen Long.

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  • Some 3,400 people take part in the annual event, which leads competitors on a 100km trek across the city
  • First to complete the route from Pak Tam Chung in Sai Kung to the Crossroads Foundation in Tuen Mun are Team TTR in 12 hours, 42 minutes and 47 seconds

In 1976, a group of five ran from Hong Kong Island’s most southerly district to most northerly police station in what would become the city’s first ultra event.

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After civil unrest and Covid restrictions the 100km challenge is back this month, and team including OTW veteran Wong Ho-chung have set themselves target of 11 hrs 30 mins for race.

Tsoi Wing-cheung, 62, quit smoking on the day of Hong Kong’s handover from Britain to China in 1997. His passion for running and sport, he says, helped him kick his 20-year smoking habit.

Gone Running-Joint Dynamics win Oxfam Trailwalker for the third time, despite one member cracking ribs and training in quarantine in the build up to the race.

Two of the team met at Trailwalker, got engaged at Trailwalker and set the record over three consecutive years, while the others feel part of the Uglow family.

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The Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge ‘finisher’ says that years of trail and ultra races have made him mentally strong for the epic 298km run.

Jacky Leung almost gives up trail running in 2011, but finding solutions to injuries has shaped his outlook for problem solving and strengthening his resolve.

Wong Ho-chung completes the 100km MacLehose in 10 hours and 38 minutes, beating even the Oxfam Trailwalker record, and achieving his target of starting and finishing between sunrise and sunset.

The ability to push through when all you want to do is give up is important in all long distance sports and a trait that can be learned and improved.