ITRA elects Hong Kong 100 organiser Janet Ng as president following Bob Crowley’s resignation

Newly-elected president wants to see an increase in participation of women in trail running
Bob Crowley resigns as Covid-19 increases the demands of his other businesses, leaving him inadequate time to lead ITRA

Extreme fitness

Mark Agnew

Published: 6:24pm, 15 Sep 2021

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The International Trail Running Association (ITRA) has elected Hongkonger Janet Ng as its new president. She is best known by the community as the co-founder and co-director of the Vibram Hong Kong 100 (HK100), the city’s most high profile solo 100km race, which is part of the Ultra-Trail World Tour (UTWT). Ng is president of the Trail Running Association of Hong Kong too.

“I am honoured to receive the trust of members of our Steering Committee to be the new president of ITRA. I am excited to lead this unique organisation as our sport begins to reopen in many countries around the world,” said Ng.

ITRA is a non-profit organisation that works to promote trail running and its values. It is the world’s largest trail running association. It’s most famous for its ranking system, that lists all trail racers world wide. On its website, ITRA says its “mission is to give voice to trail runners from all continents to promote trail running throughout the world and defend its ethical values”.

As of 2021, ITRA and the International Association of Ultra Running (IAU), World Championships World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) and World Athletics (formerly IAAF), combined to create a combined World Championships. Since 2018, ITRA has worked with World Athletics and WMRA to organise similar rail and mountain running world championships events.

“The pandemic has accelerated interest in trail running in the great outdoors and we expect our community to expand rapidly. We welcome everyone with open arms to share our sport and our values,” said Ng.

“I would in particular like to see an increase in female participation in trail running. With that in mind, the ITRA team will continue to work hand in hand with runners and organisers, to listen to their needs and wishes and help them in achieving their individual goals and dreams.”

Janet Ng replaces Bob Crowley. Photo: Howie Stern

Ng replaces Bob Crowley, who has been president since spring 2020. He said that Covid-19 has increased the demands on his businesses, leaving him too little time to focus on ITRA.

Before Crowley, the president was Michel Poletti, co-founder and co-director of the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB). There were questions around ITRA’s independence, as it provided the entry points system for UTMB.

Upon resignation, Crowley said: “I have strived to guide ITRA to a better place than when I assumed the office. I believe together, we have achieved this goal. We have accomplished independence and steadied the organisation through the disruptive times of the pandemic.”

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