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HONG KONG 100 KICKS OFF WORLD TRAIL MAJORS 2026: Race preview by Mayayo.
HONG KONG 100 KICKS OFF WORLD TRAIL MAJORS. Our ULTRA TRAIL section bring us the start of an exciting chapter in the world of global trail running with the inaugural event of the World Trail Majors series, both in its 100k and 50k formats.
The 16th edition of the Hong Kong 100 Ultramarathon brings a large international field to Hong Kong for each of its three races, and its 3-day stage race, Up to 2800 runners from 60 countries will enjoy the beautiful and varied trails from the Sai Kung Peninsula. Plus, the HK100 expo will showcase best of new gear, such as the introduction of the Anta Guanjun Saker 3 racing trail shoe.
HONG KONG 100 KICKS OFF WORLD TRAIL MAJORS 2026
The 2026 international trail running season is about to launch, it also marks the third season of World Trail Majors, the independent race series that aims to promote trail running in a diverse, culturally rich way, respecting local communities and the natural environment. As before, the international season kicks off at the highest level with the Anta Guanjun Hong Kong 100, which brings together excellent runners from all around the world
With generally favourable temperatures, a challenging but not extreme course, and the exotic setting of Hong Kong, it is the ideal destination for Asian, European, and American runners to start their season. It is also a showcase for excellent Chinese runners to gain international recognition, as a good result in this race generates a level of international media coverage that very few Asian races achieve.
But it is not only the elite who are attracted by Hong Kong’s appeal: 3,000 participants from 60 countries will gather in the Asian megacity. The race takes place on the outskirts of the city, on the Sai Kung Peninsula and within a UNESCO Global Geopark. The route has had to be changed due to last summer’s typhoons, which caused landslides, meaning that the records set by Meng Guangfu and Sunmaya Budha — 09:43 and 11:11 respectively, will remain for that course and new records will be set this year on the slightly shorter course.
HONG KONG 100 PREVIEW: THE FAVORITES.
It is not only the elite who are attracted by Hong Kong’s appeal: 3,000 participants from 60 countries will gather in the Asian megacity. The route has had to be changed due to last summer’s typhoons, which caused landslides, meaning that the records set by Meng Guangfu and Sunmaya Budha — 09:43 and 11:11 respectively, will remain for that course and new records will be set this year on the slightly shorter course.
HK100: THE MEN AND THE WOMEN.
93 Kilometres, 5,028 metres of elevation gain, beautiful coastal trails and spectacular views of the city are what the flagship race, the Anta Guanjun Hong Kong 100, has to offer. At 07:00 (GMT-8) on Saturday, the first World Trail Majors event and the battle for €82,500 in prize money will begin, undoubtedly at the famously fast pace set by Chinese runners.
Veronika Leng leads the women.
There is significant closeness among the women on paper, with the three favourites separated by just three ITRA points! Veronika Leng (Slovakia, Anta Guanjun, ITRA 788) was second last year in Hong Kong, as well as winning Ultra-Trail Chongli and finishing fifth in the CCC. Chi Lingjie (China, Salomon, 787) was fifth last year in this race; and Hau Thi Ha (Vietnam, Kailas Fuga, 785) was also third in Hong Kong. The runner-up in the 2025 World Trail Majors and winner of Mt.FUJI 100 and Grampians Peaks Trail 100 Miler, Hong Kong’s Cheung Man Yee (Gone Running, 699) will also take part in her home race. A high level of competition and equality promises a very interesting race.
Also present will be Elizabeth Dangadang (Merrell, ITRA 674) from the Philippines, Philippine ultra champion, and Stephanie Case (The North Face, 641) from Canada, winner in Snowdonia, second in Nice Côte d’Azur and fifth in Hardrock, all in 2025, after becoming a mother. Lorena Ramírez, the Rarámuri star of the documentary ‘Lorena, Light footed woman’, which premiered at last year’s race to great acclaim, will also be running. This time she will be accompanied by a dozen compatriots.
Hong Kong, the showcase for the best Chinese runners
Anta Guanjun Hong Kong 100 is always special among Chinese runners because of the international significance of the race. With no winter break, as there are races with good weather in December, many Chinese runners arrive in good shape and eager to compete against international runners.
Among the Chinese runners is Meng Guangfu (Hoka, ITRA 929), last year’s winner, second in World Trail Majors 2024, second in the Mt. FUJI 100 marathon. Meng is one of the best runners in the country and will certainly want to start the season with a victory. You Peiquan (Anta, 873) already knows what it is like to win in Hong Kong, having done so in 2020 and 2023, and there is an extra incentive between them: if either of them wins, they will be the first to achieve the hat trick.
Chinese competition continues with: Yang Jianjian (Kailas Fuga, ITRA 912) current champion of the Short Series by World Trail Majors title with victories in Hong Kong and Vietnam. His last race, less than a month ago, was 100 Km, so he has proven form over the distance. Yan Longfei (Kolon Sport, 840) winner of the 2015 edition and fifth in the recent Chiang Mai Thailand by UTMB.
What about the international runners?
From the United States, Dakota Jones (NNormal, ITRA 887), with victories in the Javelina Hundred, Transvulcania, The Canyons Endurance Runs, Pikes Peak Marathon and Buffalo Stampede, will make his debut in Hong Kong. From Australia, Mikey Dimuantes (Asics, 830) is also the winner of the Buffalo Stampede marathon, the most prestigious in his country. From the United Kingdom, Tom Joly (Kailas Fuga, 868) is coming off a strong 2025 with podium finishes at Templiers, Snowdonia, and Trail Verbier St Bernard. From the Philippines, among others, John Ray ‘Stingray’ Onifa (T8, 889), an Asian icon and the country’s best runner. Finally, from Spain, Abel Carretero (Otso, ITRA 891), with podium finishes at Penyagolosa, Ultra Pirineu, Swiss Canyon Trail and Transvulcania, is always a formidable competitor. And Mario Olmedo (Mount to Coast, 883), third last season at Mallorca by UTMB and ninth at CCC.
HK50. Ruy Ueda and Ester Czillag take on a talended local field.
The day before the HK100 is The Half, shortened to 50 Km and +2118 m due to landslides in the summer, promises to be even faster. A circular route with three challenging climbs and many short, steep sections, usually hot and humid conditions, it is a real challenge to start the season. It is also the first stop of the Short Series by World Trail Majors, which in its first edition saw a Chinese sweep with Fuzhao Xiang and Jianjian Yang champions in 2025.
Hong Kong-based Hungarian Eszter Csillag (Hoka, ITRA 808) won this year’s 100 Km Buffalo Stampede, came third in Western States in 2024 and won The Half in 2022. After an injury, South African Toni McCann (Adidas Terrex, 807) is back. She has previously won the OCC, CCC and Transvulcania and came second in the Transgrancanaria marathon. And the third potential candidate for victory is Japan’s Yuri Yoshizumi (Kailas Fuga, 766), a recent signing for Kailas Fuga and a regular at World Trail Majors, where she finished fourth overall last year after coming second in Japan and Hong Kong.
Also competing will be young Lei Yan (China, Hoka, ITRA 748) in her second venture outside mainland China, where she has won 80% of the races she has participated in, as well as Dubai-based Briton Eve Moore (742), who won last year’s Ultra-Trail Australia and came sixth in the RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town in 2024, will certainly add to the competitiveness of the event.
Last year’s fourth-place finisher, Rui Ueda (Rui/Red Bull, ITRA 907), known as the ‘Japanese emperor,’ arrives in Hong Kong eager to improve, but to do so he will have to overcome Anton Gustafsson (Sweden, Hoka, 900), who exploded onto the scene last year with victories in KAT100 by UTMB and Engelberg and is also a three-time Swedish champion. Also arriving from the United Kingdom is Luke Grenfell-Shaw (Brooks, 883), not to mention the Chinese talent represented by Tian Peng (Aonijie, 883), Shi Aiai (874), and Shi Guo (NNormal, 871).
HONG KONG 100 PREVIEW. THREE RACES.
Hong Kong 100 is a trail running event that takes place in Hong Kong. The courses start in the Sai Kung Peninsula and cover some of the most beautiful scenery, including the UNESCO Global Geopark, remote and unspoilt beaches, ancient forests, nature trails, reservoirs and steep hills. There are 3 individual races plus a special category for runners to take on all 3 events on the fast Hong Kong course, which does have some technical sections and some steep but relatively short climbs.
The first of the races is called THE THIRD (33k/D+1460m) It will start in the morning of Thursday while Friday will be the time for THE HALF (56km, +2010m) Saturday 20th is the time for the original HK100 race with 1800 athletes.
The Third course starts in Pak Tam Chung on the east side of Hong Kong’s New Territories and winds its way around the coast of the Sai Kung peninsula along coastal paths, across beaches, through ancient villages, over hills and through valleys before returning to Pak Tam Chung. Our very own editor Mayayo will be racing it, in order to better report the following days on the 50k and 100k.
HONG KONG 100 LIVE RESULTS 2026.
As usual, you may follow all live results direct from our CLASIFIACIONES page at our sister website CARRERASDEMONTANA.COM Clasificaciones trail running por Mayayo.
WORLD TRAIL MAJORS 2026:
FULL ANNUAL CALENDAR.
WORLD TRAIL MAJORS 2026 CALENDAR: The Transgrancanaria circuit seeks to consolidate its position. Our WORLD TRAIL MAJORS section celebrated the 2025 finale in South Africa, with Caleb Olson and Sunmaya Budha taking the top spots. After a period of rapid expansion in 2024-2025, the 2026 calendar aims to stabilize its schedule and refine its competitive system, with Transgrancanaria as a key component of the European circuit. Here´s the annual calendar.
