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Mark Agnew

This article is part of the SCMP’s series on the long-awaited resumption of sport in Hong Kong. After months of cancelled competitions and facility closures as the city battled a Covid-19 outbreak, elite athletes as well as the public are returning to pitches, pools and tracks.
Trail racing is making its triumphant return in Hong Kong this weekend with the Action Asia Sai Kung 50, after a hiatus of several months owing to the city’s fifth wave of Covid-19 infections.
The event – which will host three distances of 50 kilometres, 35km and 13km – will requite all competitors to have three vaccines, and wear masks at the starting line and the finish.
They will begin the race in waves to avoid crowds, and be encouraged to leave quickly at the end, with restrictions still in effect in Hong Kong.
“Maybe now my motivation comes more from the fact that only by running on the trail we can temporarily escape from the disappointing social economic status in Hong Kong and find happiness and contentment through exercise, sweating and muscle soreness,” said Cheung Man-yee, one of the favourites for the 35km distance.
Trail races should be ‘facilitated and encouraged’, says Covid-19 expert
“I think Covid-19 prevented us enjoying running competitions as a large-scale happy carnival event, where we can freely meet our friends, and eat and drink during and after the race, which certainly has a better atmosphere.
“Now running races has become more pure and we rely on self support.”

Cheung’s last event was during Lunar New Year, when she became the second woman to finish the 298km Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge (HK4TUC).
“It is inevitable that motivation is less when there is no race,” Cheung said. “Although I trained much less after finishing the HK4TUC due to lack of motivation, I think it’s good to rest a bit to allow my body to recover fully.
“I have not been racing for short distances for a very long time. So my goal is really to try to get used to the pace and enjoy the race.”
Flora Ching, another of the favourites for the 35km distance, is also excited to return to racing – but for her, the enforced break in competition did not change much.

“I always believe that running is not just about racing, but more importantly the process of how you get to where you are,” said Ching, a personal trainer at the Joint Dynamics clinic in Hong Kong’s Central District.
“It’s about being disciplined in your training, and training smart – how much effort you put into the tough sessions, but also spending time on recovery and looking after your body.
“Racing is always just one component of keeping me motivated for running. The big part is pure enjoyment and passion for running, and seeing myself improve.”
Ching is not focused on the outcome of the race.
“Honestly, I just want to test my fitness, and it’s looking wet on race day, so it will be interesting to also test my technical downhill skills. I actually didn’t check the start list [for other competitors] as I want to just enjoy the race and have fun,” Ching added.


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Trail racing returns to Hong Kong with Sai Kung 50, offering runners a welcome ‘escape’ amid easing of Covid-19 restrictions

Cheung Man-yee finds more joy in running as an escape, than as a competition, after the break from racing. Photo: Viola Shum

For Flora Ching, racing has only ever been one component of running. Photo: Action Asia/William Leung

Flora Ching wants to test her fitness and technical downhill skills. Photo: Action Asia/William Leung

Low coronavirus-risk trail races should be ‘facilitated and encouraged’ by authorities, says HKU epidemiologist

Social distancing and masks at the start of second trail event since Covid-19 began. Photos: Action Asia Events

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Runners naturally arrive hours apart, and wear masks at the finish line. 

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Event will end a long break from competition for many of the city’s runners – and it can’t come soon enough
Cheung Man-yee, one of the favourites for 35km distance, hopes to ‘find happiness through exercise, sweating and muscle soreness’



With Covid-19 restrictions finally easing in Hong Kong, the Sai Kung 50 will end a long break from competition for many of the city’s runners – and it can’t come soon enough.


Outdoors

Trail running and hiking