Run Singapore Apr/May 2013 Running High

Runaway

Running high in hong kong

“With Hong Kong only a few hours away by flight, it is easy to pop in for a race or even just some trail training, and indulge in some gastronomical delights after the runs,” says Magdalene Siew, an accountant who participated in the Hong Kong 100, Hong Kong Marathon and Lantau 100.

Hong Kong is not just a shopping and culinary destination; it also has ideal conditions perfect for running such as cool weather, stunning landscape and challenging terrain.

The author on her way to winning the 13km Hysan Healthy Hike & Run.

B

en Swee, a Singapore running coach and fitness trainer, recently made two trips to Hong Kong in the span of three weeks. Unlike most visitors to the Fragrant Harbour, however, the main draw wasn’t the food, the finance hub, or the famed Lan Kwai Fong parties. It was the running.

Text Jeanette Wang

Swee was among the around 150-strong Singapore contingent that participated at the recent RaidLight Lantau 100km trail race in Hong Kong on March 16. The month before, he ran his third straight Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, standing out in the record 72,000-strong field in a Batman suit.

He’s quick to list a slew of positives that keeps him coming back to the territory: “The amazing scenery and skyline, the nature not too far from the city, challenging undulating terrain, easy accessibility to places, amazing food, and cool weather. Plus, great shopping for outdoor stuff.”

“There is sadly a lack of trail races in Singapore as the trail network is not as extensive as those found in Hong Kong. Trail running in Hong Kong is more challenging, and you would normally be rewarded with beautiful views, which are sadly missing in the Singapore landscape.”

Hong Kong has some of the best and most accessible trail running terrain in the world, according to Keith Noyes, race director of King of the Hills, a series of off-road races held in Hong Kong since 1984. “It is no wonder that people want to get out and enjoy it,” he says.

Eric LaHaie, a top Hong Kong trail runner and founder of sports media company Stack Asia, agrees: “You don’t have that in other big cities, such as New York or London. It’s so easy to find a trail and a running group in Hong Kong.

And the races are easy to sign up for and get to, and have a very relaxed atmosphere.”

There’s Something For Everyone

Hong Kong certainly has a more vibrant running scene than Singapore, bursting with so many races that organisers are struggling to find free weekends for their events. “Some 20 years ago, it was so hard to find a running race

Good To Know Running in Hong Kong for the first time? Here are some tips.

Local lingo: Mm goi (saai) – probably the most important phrase you need to know. It’s nearly all-purpose, meaning “thank you (very much)”, “please” or “excuse me”.

Extremely useful when trying to pass someone on a running trail.

Be prepared for fickle weather – always be ready to shed or put on extra layers, and carry enough hydration on your runs, because weather can be very variable from day-to-day and even within a day in Hong Kong. It’s not uncommon to be surprised by a warm day in the middle of winter, and vice versa.

Keep an eye on pollution –

check Air Pollution Index levels (at www.epd-asg.gov.hk) before you go out running and be careful if it’s greater than 100. Choose routes away from heavy traffic, preferably in the country parks, and run in the early mornings or after sunset, because sunshine increases ozone levels.

Stop if you feel discomfort such as sore eyes, a cough or sore throat; the elderly and those with respiratory conditions should take extra caution.

Running down The Twins To Stanley.

Swee is among a growing population of tourists that’s making Hong Kong a destination for runners. It’s especially attractive for Singapore locals, with affordable, sub-four-hour flights between the two cities for a quick weekend escape.

Strong Singapore Presence

Photos: ACTION ASIA EVENTS

At the RaidLight Lantau race, Singapore runners made up half of the overseas runners that hailed from a total of 15 countries, says race director Clement Dumont. There were 1,200 participants in total – double last year’s inaugural race – across the 100km, 50km and 15km distances on the territory’s largest island. “We have had to limit the participation as it grew too fast,” says Dumont, who’s also one of Hong Kong’s top trail runners.

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There was also a strong Singaporean presence – about 100 – at January’s Vibram Hong Kong 100. The third edition of the solo 100km trail race had 1,200 runners from 30 countries, says race organiser Steve Brammar, up from 250 in 2011.

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Runaway Hong Kong has the ideal running conditions and it’s a reprieve from the eternal summer of Singapore. Lobo Louie Hung-tak, associate professor of physical education at Hong Kong’s Baptist University, says most of the best marathon times are set during temperatures of between 13 and 16 degrees, and humidity from 50 to 60 per cent.

The Air Out There

The only negative of Hong Kong as a running destination is perhaps its notorious air quality. The Environmental Protection Department identifies two issues: local street-level pollution mainly from motor vehicles, and smog, caused by a combination of pollutants from motor vehicles, industry and power plants both in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region.

Joint efforts by the Hong Kong and Guangdong governments in improving air quality, however, seems to have helped: the roadside levels of respirable suspended particulates and nitrogen oxides were reduced by 33 per cent and 28 per cent respectively between 1999 and 2011.

(Having lived in Hong Kong for more than two years, I can tell you that in general the air quality – particularly in lush greenery of the country parks – is perfectly fine for running in.)

Hong Kong attracts many elite runners to its races.

in Hong Kong,” says Michael Maddess, director of Action Asia Events, one of the main race organisers in the city. “Now, there’s a case of too much on the calendar.”

There’s something for everyone, from a fun 3km road run for the family to 100km ultratrails for the more hardcore runners or hikers.

With a land area that’s 55 per cent larger than Singapore – about 1,100 square kilometres, of which three-quarters is countryside – Hong Kong also offers more varied race routes and terrain. (You can only run Marina Bay, Nicoll Highway, or East Coast Park so many times!)

Though a bustling metropolis, Hong Kong also has stunning landscape, from sandy beaches and rocky foreshores, to woodlands and mountain ranges with peaks almost 1,000 metres high.

Promoting Hong Kong’s nature is part of the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s long-term strategy for marketing the city. Major events, such as the Hong Kong Marathon and Trailwalker, are promoted to tourists through visitor centres and online. Since 2009, its “Great Outdoors Hong Kong” campaign has offered a guidebook and free trail tours, which were taken up by about 500 visitors last year.

So, if you’re seeking a new running experience, Hong Kong is your answer.

It’s a nice change of scenery. Though a bustling metropolis, Hong Kong also has stunning landscape, from sandy beaches and rocky foreshores, to woodlands and mountain ranges with peaks almost 1,000 metres high. Last year, the city’s country parks had more than 13 million visitors for hiking, leisure walking, fitness exercises, barbecuing, family picnics and camping.

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Thousands of runners taking part in the 2013 HK Standard Chartered Marathon.

Photos: HK AMATEUR ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

And then there’s the weather. Hong Kong has a sub-tropical climate with distinct seasons that punctuate the running calendar. The bulk of races take place from late Autumn through Winter to early Spring (November to April), when temperatures are cooler and humidity is lower. Winter temperatures range from 12 to 20 degrees Celsius, though may drop below 10 in urban areas and in the mountains. With pleasant breezes and plenty of sunshine on many days, it’s hard to resist staying indoors.

Useful Websites Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association www.hkaaa.com Athletic Veterans of Hong Kong www.avohk.com Hong Kong Runners community forum www.hkrunners.com Hong Kong Distance Runners Club www.hkdrc.org HK Marathon Pro ecotourism.org.hk/hkmp Action Asia Events www.actionasiaevents.com King of the Hills mountain marathon series www.seyonasia.com Enjoy Hiking official government hiking site www.hkwalkers.net

The majestic Maclehose Trail in Sai Kung, New Territories.

Something for everyone Here’s a pick of popular races in Hong Kong: AVOHK 5k Series 24 August 2013 Organised by the Athletic Veterans of HK, this is a four-race series held over a few weekends (final race is 12 October).

HKDRC 36th Green Half Marathon and 10K Run 3 November 2013 The demanding out-and-back course takes place around the scenic Plover Cove Reservoir in Tai Po, New Territories.

14 December 2013 The inaugural race offers 100km and 50km, and joins TNF’s Asia Pacific series (which includes Singapore).

China Coast Marathon January 2014 Hong Kong’s other road marathon. Held on a challenging undulating route in Sai Kung, New Territories.

Vibram Hong Kong 100

Hong Kong 10K Championships 10 November 2013 Organised by the HK Athletic Amateur Association, and held in Tin Shui Wai, New Territories.

Oxfam Trailwalker 15 November 2013 The famous 100km trail race for teams of four. Last year 4,715 people took part, 12 per cent more than in 2011. With a quota of about 500 four-person teams, the race is always oversubscribed – there were 2,913 team applications last year, 22 per cent more than in 2011.

Unicef Charity Run November 2013 An annual family-friendly race held at Disneyland on Lantau Island that offers halfmarathon, 10km and 3km events. The second largest distance running event in HK with some 45,000 runners.

The North Face 100 Hong Kong

January 2014 The city’s first solo 100km race that begins in Sai Kung and finishes at Route Twisk, following about 80 per cent of the Maclehose Trail.

Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon

February 2014 A unique course that starts in the bustling shopping strip of Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, and finishes close to another at Victoria Park, Causeway Bay. Route is mainly on highways, over bridges and through tunnels that are usually only open to motor vehicles.

RaidLight Lantau 100 March 2014 Arguably Hong Kong’s toughest 100km trail race with nearly 6,000 metres of vertical gain.

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