Coronavirus outbreak: Trail community should embrace new social distancing norms, says Action Asia director as race goes ahead
- The Healthy Hike and Run is going ahead, while most other events are cancelled, but the safety measures in place will become the norm
The Action Asia Healthy Hike and Run is going ahead this Sunday despite the coronavirus, and the race director believes trail events need to get used to new norms around hygiene.
Almost all trail races have been cancelled since the start of the outbreak, with the exception of the King of the Hills races, organised by Keith Noyes. Action Asia director Michael Maddess said it was the same during Sars, with just his races and Noyse’s going on, although there were far few races to cancel 17 years ago compared with the packed calendar now.
“We always wanted to go ahead with the Healthy Hike and Run, but in the Hong Kong trail running community there is never going to be a consensus,” Maddess said. “We knew from a safety standpoint we could go ahead, and safety is always first at Action Asia, but you’re never going to keep 100 per cent of people happy.”
The event starts in Tai Lam at 8.30am, with two distances, 13km and 5km. It’s the 11th edition of the Healthy Hike and Run, but this year there will be a host of safety measures. Participants have to bring their own water bottles but they will not be allowed to touch the refilling containers. The Action Asia staff will refill bottles for runners and ensure that the opening is never less than six inches from the spout. Runners are encouraged to bring enough water to last the whole race, and their own food. There will be checkpoints but they will not be stocked with oranges or other potentially unhygienic foods. Bananas are usually cut in half for runners to grab, but they will be handed whole and unpeeled instead. Runners should bring their own sanitiser and wear masks on public transport to and from the event.
“We’re trying to keep it simple,” Maddess said.