Hong Kong Four Trails survivor aims for Western States double finish with crew he met on Twitter
The community spirit of the famous 100 mile American ultra marathon is a hallmark of the race, and the locals have got behind Will Hayward
Will Hayward survived Hong Kong’s 298km Four Trails Ultra Challenge (HK4TUC) non-stop run but his experience is a double-edged sword as he heads to the world famous Western States 100 (WS100) miler (160km) with a crew he met online.
“Surviving something like the Four Trails gives you a lot of confidence,” said Hayward, 50. “But you have to be careful you don’t think, ‘Well, I did 298km and this is only 160km’. But you know if you are in a hole you can get out.”
The HK4TUC links all of Hong Kong’s major trails in a continuous and unsupported run. There are no aid stations or crews allowed on the trails, and if you reach the end of the Lantau trail in under 60 hours you are a ‘finisher’ or a ‘survivor’ if you reach the end in under 75 hours.
It is a very different approach to the WS100, which allows pacers, crews and has well-stocked aid stations. But as Hayward, who ran the WS100 in 2013, is heading to California all the way from Hong Kong he cannot bring an entourage.