Explainer | What is the 298km Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge, and how has it got even more difficult in 2022?

The HK4TUC is one of the hardest ultra marathons on Earth, but retains its low-key, community atmosphere where the journey is above all else

It is the brainchild of Andre Blumberg, who ran it for fun one Lunar New Year and has nurtured it into the notorious but wonderful event it is today

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The Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge (HK4TUC) finish is marked by a kiss on the Mui Wo post box. Photo: Alan Li

Published: 9:15am, 7 Jan 2022

Hong Kong conjures images of high-rise buildings, busy bars, dim sum, street food and shopping malls. It may surprise you to know it is also home to one of the world’s most gruelling and fascinating ultra marathons.

And this year, it’s harder than ever. Here’s everything you need to know about the Hong Kong Four Trials Ultra Challenge:

When and where

The HK4TUC (often just called the Four Trails) links the major trails in Hong Kong, starting on the first day of Lunar New Year. You can follow the GPS trackers, posted on the HK4TUC’s official Facebook page.

Runners complete the MacLehose, Wilson, Hong Kong and Lantau Trails all in reverse. In total, it is 298 kilometres and runners will ascend 14,500m of accumulative elevation.

The 100km MacLehose is Hong Kong’s most famous trail, stretching across the New Territories from Sai Kung to Tuen Mun. The event starts at Tuen Mun, at a rather inconspicuous road side below an underpass. The participants tend to know one another and there is a nervous atmosphere of greetings and handshakes as the runners prepare and the supporters come to wave them off.