Incredible display of trail running spirit and resilience at hybrid TransLantau by UTMB

Despite the ongoing Covid restrictions in Hong Kong, the event organizers at TransLantau by UTMB demonstrated impressive resilience as they adapted the event to create a unique hybrid edition for 2022, with runners able to complete the iconic course on the largest of the islands anytime between 28 October - 18 November. An impressive 2,438 runners registered for the event, taking the opportunity to earn prestigious Running Stones and validate their UTMB Index.

With Saturday 5th November being the original date for the event, it proved to be a big day for the trail running community in Hong Kong as the community rallied around to ensure participants could complete the event in compliance with Covid restrictions. Runners had friends support along the course, while the local community opened their homes or shops to provide food and drink. Kiosks provided runners with their details in advance, allowing them to pre-order any food or drink before reaching the remote villages.

Race Director, Clement Dumont commented, “The enthusiasm of the trail runners was really uplifting this weekend. As the hybrid format is self-supported with no food or water at checkpoints, friends of the participants came along to provide support and encouragement at various points along the course, while local kiosks in some villages showed their enthusiasm for the event by staying open for runners until late at night. While we are deeply disappointed to have not been able to offer a fully supported physical event again this year, the continuous support of the trail community encourages us to persevere and work towards a physical event in 2023.”

One of the many highlights from the weekend came at the halfway point of the 100km race. Pupils from Buddhist Fat Ho Memorial College volunteered late into the evening and over the weekend to help runners retrieve their bags from the bag drop and provide encouragement for the second half of the course.

The headteacher from the school, Eric Yuon Fuk Lung wanted to set an example to his students by running the event himself. He said, “What makes us successful is not how capable we are, but how persistent we are. I join TransLantau simply because I would like to demonstrate to my school kids that I can preserve!”

Salomon Wettstein (HK) has posted the fastest time so far in the TransLantau 104 with a time of 14.03.57, with Meg Sterling (AUS) the fastest female in 20.35.12. All is still to play for with the hybrid event open until 18 November.

After a few weeks break, the UTMB World Series returns on 9-11 December with the Doi Inthanon by UTMB in Thailand before heading into the last event of 2022 at Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB in Australia on 15-16 December.