TransLantau by UTMB: Hong Kong ultra-marathoner Ferdinand Tsang to sit it out this year
Last year’s 100km champ needs to ‘let my body rest’ after running at world championships with Tsang Chun-kit, who will run the 25km race
Hong Kong ultra-marathon star Ferdinand Tsang Fuk-cheung will not defend his TransLantau 100km crown this year after deciding to take a break from competing after a testing time at the 2025 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in September.
“I need to take a break and let my body reset,” said the 31-year-old, who plans to return for next year’s race. “I am focusing on coaching and bringing students to races.”
Meanwhile, Tsang Chun-kit, another Hong Kong runner at the world event in Canfranc Pirineos, Spain, will return to the shorter distance of 25km at TransLantau this year after winning the 120km title in his 40-44-years age category last year.
The TransLantau by UTMB event presents four challenging races on Lantau Island over 25km, 50km, 80km and 120km, with runners taking off from Mui Wo from Friday to Sunday.
The two Tsangs were part of the largest-ever team contingent sent by the Hong Kong, China Association of Athletics Affiliates (HKAAA) to the World Championships, with six men and four women competing across the 82km long trail and the 44.5km short trail races.
Ferdinand Tsang completed the 82km route, with elevation of more than 5,700 metres, in 12 hours 47 minutes 22 seconds to place 123rd among 179 participants.