Oxfam Trailwalker veteran Wong Ho-chung tastes ‘exceptional’ first victory with Team 8006
- Hong Kong quartet cross the finish line first in Yuen Long in 11 hours, 38 minutes and 19 seconds on Friday night
- ‘I was always in the top 10, including finishing second twice. But you cannot ask to win it – you need great teammates,’ Wong says
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There were no surprises at the 2022 Oxfam Trailwalker as the Hong Kong quartet led by top ultra-runner Wong Ho-chung crossed the finish line in Yuen Long first after running for 11 hours, 38 minutes and 19 seconds.
Despite coming in some eight minutes later than their pre-set target of 11 hours and 30 minutes, Wong – who is an eight-time participant – still lauded the team’s “exceptional” achievement.
“It was really hot today, so such a finishing time is beyond our standard already. It felt perfect,” said Wong, who had never triumphed before at the Trailwalker in his seven previous editions.
“I was always in the top 10, including finishing second twice. But you cannot ask to win it – you need great teammates, the right climate and everything coming together. I am more than satisfied with our time.”
Team captain Joseph Yeung Chi-shing – who was nursing a left leg injury before the race – said he had to check himself throughout.
“This is teamwork,” he said. “I told my teammates I will drop my pace if it is too painful. Thankfully the pain kicked in only during the later stages.”
Originally scheduled to take place three months ago, this edition of the Trailwalker marked the first of two events in 2023, with a full-size race expected to have more than 1,300 teams in November.
Competitors are required to cover the 100-kilometre (62-mile) distance between Pak Tam Chung in Sai Kung to Po Leung Kuk Jockey Club Tai Tong Holiday Camp in Yuen Long within 48 hours.
Less than a quarter of the maximum time limit was needed for the winners on Friday.
Setting the pace for the quartet was Ferdinand Tsang Fuk-cheung, who only made his Oxfam Trailwalker debut in 2017, when he finished in over 28 hours.
“You just cannot imagine how much difference six years can make,” the 26-year-old Chinese University of Hong Kong graduate said. “I am really happy with the results, this is a historic local event and it felt great that four Hongkongers came out on top this time.”
Completing the team was debutant Woody Wu Man-tsun, whose maximum distance covered previously was only some 50 kilometres.
“Without the supporting crews along the way who kept feeding me all sorts of supplements, I would not be able to finish this for sure,” the 25-year-old Wu said.
“[Wong Ho-chung] was running by my side and giving me live tips along the way, so it was like I earned a free running lesson from him really.”
The next Trailwalker will be held from November 24-26 but the newly crowned winning quartet may not be defending their title.
“This is like a perfect ending for me and I cannot really see any further achievement for myself [at this event], so perhaps I will not be running again in November,” Wong said.
