HONG KONG 100, DAY 1: MIRIAM MORALES AND QI CHAOHAI TAKE THE 31k.

HONG KONG 100K DAY 1: MIRIAM MORALES AND QI CHAOHAI TAKE THE THIRD (31k):The course started 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 took place in it, as well. 

Read about this in spanish: CRÓNICA PERSONAL THE THIRD, MAYAYO

VIDEO HK 31K FROM THE INSIDE. BY MAYAYO.


HONG KONG 100K DAY 1:

MIRIAM MORALES AND QI CHAOHAI TAKE THE THIRD (31k)

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. The 31km journey climbs 1395m and offers amazing views of this beautiful corner of the planet.

The first 10km follows the Maclehose Trail with views out to the islands in the South China sea on the right and across High Island Reservoir on the left. The route travels over dams built to form the reservoir leading to CP1 at East Dam (10km). Don’t forget to take in the views of the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark as you refuel!

From East Dam to CP2 requires a small climb and descent to Long Ke beach then a larger climb over Sai Wan Shan (314m) and crossing Sai Wan and Ham Tin beaches. Enjoy the waves crashing into the pristine white sand and ignore the temptation to join the surfers.

From CP2 (Ham Tin – 19km) in a change for 2026, the path skirts around the back of Ham Tin village and around to Tai Long Wan beach. About halfway along Tai Long Wan beach, wave the surfers goodbye and turn inland. After 1km of “jungle trail” rejoin the Maclehose Trail, turn right and head up and over then down to Chek Keng village.

Just before the Chek Keng village shop (where you should consider picking up a drink for the last climb), turn left and climb gradually, ignoring the pipe on the trail, until you cross the stream and climb more steeply. After about 2km you turn right and join the Luk Wu Country trail (signpost Luk Wu) climbing an almost vertical staircase. At the top 1km of runnable trail brings you to a left turn signposted High Island Reservoir). Take this and climb Tai Cham Koi (“Big Pillow Cover”)(408m) where the views are breath-taking.

Once you have posed for your photos, it’s almost all downhill to the road, where you turn right (carefully) and a 1km downhill run leads to the party and the glory at the finish line. Free beer for everyone! Welcome back!

Hong Kong 100 race week opened today with a spectacular win for Mexico’s Miriam Morales in the 30km women’s event. Morales, a member of the Mexico Imparable (“Unstoppable Mexico”) team and of the Mixteca indigenous group, ran shoulder to shoulder with China’s Fan Kaili to the East Dam aid station at 9km then gradually built a lead to win by 2 minutes in a new course record of 2 hours 47. Fan took 2nd place in 2 hours 49 and Wang Dayu, also of China, was third in 3 hours 11 minutes. Nepal’s Sunsari Rokaya and Great Britain’s Joanna Mockford finished just 30 seconds apart in 5th and 6th positions. Tsz Kwan Lee was the 1st Hong Kong finisher in 8th position.

Morales’ victory is being celebrated enthusiastically in Mexico, a country with a proud tradition of long distance running, especially in the indigenous populations. Morales said she wanted to give “visibility to the peoples originating from Mexico and to motivate boys, girls and young people to keep fighting for their dreams”. A delegation from the Mexican Consulate welcomed her with delight at the finish line.

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On the first day of the Grand Sam (a 3 day stage race covering The Third, 31km, The Half, 50km and HK100 (100km)) Deng Ronghua was 1st in 3 hours 15 and 4th overall. Last year’s Grand Sam champion, Zhao Fen, was 2nd just 4 minutes behind. Xu Ting is in 3rd.

QI CHAOHAI WINS THE MEN RACE AND SETS NEW RECORD (2h29m)

The men’s race was won by Qi Chaohai in 2 hours 29 minutes – the first time a runner has broken 2 hours 30 on the fast, beautiful, rugged course. Zhang Juemin came 2nd in 2 hours 33 and, in a Chinese clean sweep, Zhang Zhenlong rounded out the podium on his first day in the Grand Sam. He was pushed hard by Xiong Zhengqiang and Arnie Macaneras from The Philippines, both also running the Grand Sam, which is shaping up to be a fierce battle. Last year’s runner-up, Great Britain’s Ryan Whelan is just 2 minutes back and the gap to reigning champion, Wu Yongbo, only 9 minutes.

Tomorrow brings The Half (50km) a larger loop around the Sai Kung Peninsula and the Hong Kong’s UNESCO Global Geopark, starting at 8am in Pak Tam Chung.

 


HONG KONG 100 2026:  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 took place this morning, while Friday will be the time for THE HALF (56km, +2010m) Saturday 24th is the time for the original HK100 race with 1800 athletes.

 


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.