Eleven trail runners have completed an endurance race spanning all of Hong Kong’s four major hiking routes, the ultramarathon organisers said. The “four trails” – Maclehose, Wilson, Hong Kong, and Lantau – span a total distance of 298km, starting in Tuen Mun and ending in Mui Wo, marked with a green mailbox. The annual Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge (HK4TUC), which starts on the first day of the Lunar New Year, is considered one of the world’s hardest ultramarathons, with runners having to ascend a cumulative elevation of 14,500m.
Nepali runner Nugo Yamanath Limbu was the first to complete the race with a time of 60 hours and 49 minutes, the HK4TUC organisers announced on Saturday. Xie Wenfei and Ye Xiaoming from mainland China finished second and third respectively, followed by Takashi Wakiya from Japan. Kimmy Leung, who finished sixth in 70 hours and 20 minutes, was the fastest Hongkonger to complete the challenge.
The 11 runners all finished under 72 hours, earning the title “survivors” of the trail run. However, none of the participants could claim the title “finisher,” reserved only for those who complete the race under the 60-hour mark. This year’s endurance challenge was held weeks after the December 6 release of Four Trails , a film chronicling 10 runners’ journeys on the ultramarathon challenge in 2021.
Director Robin Lee’s documentary took the Audience Choice Award at the 2023 Hong Kong Asian Film Festival. The trail running challeng.
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