North Face 100 event returns to Hong Kong trail running calendar, Philippines’ Onifa and Nepal’s Budha claim 100km titles
- John Ray Onifa is the clear winner, finishing over two hours ahead of nearest challenger Guillaume Perrot, with Sunmaya Budha first woman home in third
- Hongkongers dominate over 50km and 16km distances, as 1,800 athletes take part in ‘competitive and demanding’ races
John Ray Onifa of Philippines and Nepal’s Sunmaya Budha claimed victory in the marquee 100km races, as the North Face 100 event returned to Hong Kong’s trail running scene this weekend.
Onifa finished the daunting course in a breathtaking 11 hours, 57 minutes and 16 seconds, more than two hours ahead of second-placed Guillaume Perrot of France.
Budha, in third overall, captured the women’s title in a time of 14:40:00. Local star Cheung Man-yee, winner of this year’s Hong Kong 100, was second woman home in 14:59:02.
This year’s edition of the prestigious event featured a new 16km race, in addition to the traditional 100km and 50km distances.
There was another first, with the longest race getting under way at 10pm on Friday, a departure from the normal daytime start.
“The late start allowed us to accommodate more participants, with the races attracting 1,800 runners, up from the previous 1,200,” event organisers said.
“This new 16km distance provided less experienced racers with an off-road experience, and a chance to sample the TNF 100 Ultra Trail Challenge.”
The epic 100km course included an ascent of Tai Mo Shan, Hong Kong’s highest peak, and sprawled across harsh, rolling terrain as it made its way through nine sections, beginning and ending in Tai Mei Tuk, in the northeast of the New Territories.
“It is a competitive, demanding event and the course presents significant challenges,” the organisers said. “Runners have to conquer steep inclines and navigate rugged natural paths. The undulating landscape tests endurance and strength.”
Hongkonger Angie Yan Chi-yee completed the top three in the women’s 100km field, with Arjun Rai Kulung of Nepal third in the men’s race.
Rex Lo of Hong Kong won the maiden male 16km race in 01:21:51, with compatriot Katherine Lim coming home in 01:53:19 to claim the women’s prize.
The 50km honours went to formidable local Stone Tsang Siu-keung in 05:44:58, and another Hongkonger, Harmony Lam Cho-yu, who finished in 06:29:36.
