TransLantau race director feeling ‘pressure’ ahead of event’s return, says runners set for ‘physical and mental’ test
- TransLantau World Series trail races return after four-year absence, new 129km route provides gruelling examination for competitors
- This year’s edition celebrates the 10th anniversary and begins on Friday after six-months of preparations
Race director Clement Dumont said he was feeling “pressure” on the eve of the renowned TransLantau trail races following the event’s four-year hiatus.
This year’s 10th-anniversary edition begins on Friday and features a new 129-kilometre distance, alongside races over 100km, 50km and 25km.
Preparations have been six months in the making, with a mighty effort invested to stock 11,000 litres of water and an abundance of food across 12 checkpoints, over 150km of trails.
Dumont has overseen a 20-strong team marking countless intersections, while 500 volunteers helped prepare the course for more than 2,000 competitors.
Runners from 45 countries are taking part across the four distances, with 45 per cent from outside Hong Kong.
Dumont introduced the longer category to fall in line with UTMB World Series conditions, which dictate events must include a 100-mile (160km) race to feature on the elite global calendar.