Chiu Wen-hsiao kisses the postbox to mark the end of his epic 298km run, becoming on the fourth ever ‘finisher’. Photo: Patchanida Pongsubkarun

‘I can be a finisher again even as sleep looks for me’ – could Chiu Wen-hsiao be the first to twice break 60 hours over 298km?

Taiwanese is one of four people to run the non-stop Four Trails Ultra Challenge in under 60 hours, but the only one to return

Mark Agnew

Published: 11:45am, 15 Feb 2018

Why you can trust SCMP

Justifying the pain of running 298 kilometres non-stop is hard enough, but explaining why you will do it twice is even harder.

More difficult still, when you have already achieved what only three others have done.

Taiwan’s Chiu Wen-hsiao ran the infamous Four Trails Ultra Challenge (HK4TUC) last year, reaching the end in 59 hours and 45 minutes, but tomorrow he will try again.

The HK4TUC is a 298km event that links the four major trails in Hong Kong – MacLehose, Wilson, Hong Kong and Lantau.

Chiu Wen-hsiao is the only ‘finisher’ to return for a second time. Photo: Lloyd Belcher

Runners are not allow any outside support, but can have help travelling between the trails. They are deemed to be “finishers” if they reach Mui Wo in under 60 hours, or “survivors” if they arrive in under 75.

Last year was the first year anyone became a finishers when Tom Robertshaw reached the green postbox in 53 hours.

Chiu was fourth behind Hong Kong’s Stone Tsang Siu-keung who came home in 54:15, with Jag Lanante, from the Philippines third, in 57:45.

“I don’t know why [I’ve returned]”, Chiu joked before elaborating. “Because Hong Kong’s trails are very nice and people are kind, so I want to come back and enjoy it again.”

The HK4TUC requires runners to move continuously through two nights. Chiu Wen-hsiao took short naps during the second night. Photo: Patchanida Pongsubkarun

Now the only person out on the course with experience of finishing, he has been tipped most likely to “break 60” again.

“Last year’s HK4TUC was a big learning curve,” he said. “Now I have experienced it, I believe this time the race preparation, time planning and routes will be more familiar.”

Chiu has been concentrating on running during his training, rather than hiking and climbing hills. He has also practised using poles.

Runners are only allowed support between the trails, and Chiu thinks his experience last year will improve his time planning. Photo: Patchanida Pongsubkarun

But the most daunting aspect of the race is the length of time it takes, and the fact it runs over two nights.

“Overcoming sleep is the hardest part, especially on the second night when sleep starts looking for me,” he said. “I often stopped and slept about five or 10 minutes on the trail [last year].”

Despite last year’s success Wen says the distance means anything can happen.

He is tentative to commit to any specific goals.

“I’m very confident, but not sure.”

Post