UTMB World Series mastermind ready for ‘beautiful journey’ in TransLantau epic, says Hong Kong is trail running hotbed
- Hong Kong races make world circuit debut, with new 129km event a ‘beautiful journey’
- UTMB 68-year-old co-founder Michel Poletti will defy jet lag to tackle course after travelling to support organisers
The co-founder of the prestigious UTMB World Series said it was impossible to resist travelling to Hong Kong for the “beautiful” TransLantau trail running event - and taking part in Friday night’s inaugural 129km race.
Michel Poletti and wife Catherine created the acclaimed Ultra Trail de Mont Blanc race in 2003, a 171km epic, featuring 10,000 metres of elevation, that finishes in the couple’s home city of Chamonix.
UTMB grew to include associated events and today encompasses the world’s leading trail races. TransLantau gained inclusion in 2021, but after Covid-19 scuppered last year’s edition, 2023 marks its debut on the world series circuit.
For Poletti, incorporating a race in Hong Kong fulfilled a long-standing ambition.
‘‘When we created the UTMB World Series, we wanted to stage a high-quality event in every country that has a significant trail running community,” Poletti said.
