Four Trails: 11 runners conquer Hong Kong’s gruelling ultramarathon featured in hit documentary
Hong Kong Free Press
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.
Award-winning documentary
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 challenge was founded by Hong Kong-based German expat Andre Blumberg, who first ran the four trails in 2012.
“It’s much more than a running film. I think it really demonstrates the human spirit and can-do attitude of people in Hong Kong, and it showcases the really stunning beauty of Hong Kong as well,” Blumberg told sports news platform Fitz last week.
Read also: Petition urges gov’t to halt use of ‘plastic wood’ steps and railings on Lantau’s hiking trails
To up the ante, hiking poles and headphones are banned. Painkillers were banned under the rules implemented in the 2022 race, while this year’s challenge banned watches. Runners can catch some rest on the car or ferry ride between trails.
On top of those challenges, this year’s start time – 9.44pm on Lunar New Year’s Day, January 29 — was only announced six hours in advance to limit runners’ preparation time.
Support HKFP | Policies & Ethics | Error/typo? | Contact Us | Newsletter | Transparency & Annual Report | Apps
Help safeguard press freedom & keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team
.wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles article .entry-title {
font-size: 1.2em;
}
.wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles .entry-meta {
display: flex;
flex-wrap: wrap;
align-items: center;
margin-top: 0.5em;
}
.wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles article .entry-meta {
font-size: 0.8em;
}
.wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles article .avatar {
height: 25px;
width: 25px;
}
.wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles .post-thumbnail{
margin: 0;
margin-bottom: 0.25em;
}
.wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles .post-thumbnail img {
height: auto;
width: 100%;
}
.wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles .post-thumbnail figcaption {
margin-bottom: 0.5em;
}
.wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles p {
margin: 0.5em 0;
}
HKFP has an impartial stance, transparent funding, and balanced coverage guided by an Ethics Code and Corrections Policy.
Support press freedom & help us surpass 1,000 monthly Patrons: 100% independent, governed by an ethics code & not-for-profit.
Support HKFP | Policies & Ethics | Error/typo? | Contact Us | Newsletter | Transparency & Annual Report | Apps
Help safeguard press freedom & keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team
HKFP has an impartial stance, transparent funding, and balanced coverage guided by an Ethics Code and Corrections Policy.
Support press freedom & help us surpass 1,000 monthly Patrons: 100% independent, governed by an ethics code & not-for-profit.