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HONG KONG 100 2026: RACE REPORT AND FINAL RESULTS 100K / 50K BY MAYAYO.
HONG KONG 100 2026: RACE REPORT AND FINAL RESULTS 100K / 50K BY MAYAYO. As in the previous two years, Hong Kong and its biggest and most prestigious race brought together an outstanding field of Asian, American, and European runners on the Sai Kung Peninsula, close to the megacity. Thus kicked off World Trail Majors 2026, both in its Ultra and short trail series.
Both distances at the Anta Guanjun Hong Kong 100 were modified routes due to landslides, yet they delivered great fun for all, particularly due to the impressive pace set by local elite athletes. Victories went to Guidu Qin and Hau Ha and Veronika Leng in the Ultra, and Ruqin Wang and Xuemei Huang in the Short Series.
HONG KONG 100 2026: RACE REPORT BY MAYAYO.
With over 3,000 runners, a race of 93 Km with an elevation gain of +5,028 m lay ahead of them, the favourites included Guangfu Meng (China, Hoka) and Peiquan You (China, Anta Guanjun), both two-time winners, Jianjian Yang (China, Kailas Fuga), winner of the Short Series by World Trail Majors 2025, Guidu Qin (China, Outopia) and Longfei Yan (China, Kolon Sport). On the international side, the main contenders for the top spots were Abel Carretero (Spain, Otso), John Ray ‘Stingray’ Onifa (Philippines, T8), Dakota Jones (United States, NNormal), Mario Olmedo (Spain, Mount to Coast), Tom Joly (United Kingdom, Kailas Fuga) and Mikey Dimuantes (Australia, Asics).
The women’s race was no less competitive with: Veronika Leng (Slovakia, Anta Guanjun), Chi Lingjie (China, Salomon), Hau Thi Ha (Vietnam, Kailas Fuga), Cheung Man Yee (Hong Kong, Gone Running), Elizabeth Dangadang (Philippines, Merrell) and Stephanie Case (Canada, The North Face). Next to the entrance of the UNESCO Geopark on the Sai Kung Peninsula, temperatures around 12ºC, high humidity and clear skies, the race started at 7 a.m., offering an unforgettable experience for some and for others, the chance to compete for the €82,500 World Trail Majors prize fund.
THE ULTRAMARATHON KIKCS OFF!
The first few hundred metres are on paved roadway and downhill, with competition running high and the need to gain position before entering the trail: in short, a fast start. The first sections included short climbs, passing dams, beautiful beaches, and easy descents, so the lead groups remained tightly packed.
After 32 Km and +1418 m, the third checkpoint after a steep climb and descent, is the first real indication of how the race is going: The lead men are in a large group with minimal gaps, consisting of Meng, You, Onifa, Yang, Qin, Yan, Jones among others. In the women’s race, Vietnam’s Hau Ha sets an unmatchable pace for the rest of the field, who—by contrast—are separated by only minimal gaps one third of the way into the race: Leng, Wengli Jiang (China, Kailas Fuga), Jing Li (China, Kailas Fuga), among others. At this point, Ha’s advantage is an extraordinary ten minutes—too much for just one third of the race?
Between kilometres 30 and 50, the route had to be modified: between late July and early August, Tropical Storm Wipha caused considerable damage in Southeast Asian countries and severely impacted Hong Kong. The heaviest rainfall since records began in 1884. An estimated US$250 million in damage was caused in the area, including parts of the Anta Guanjun Hong Kong 100 route, which was affected due to landslides that meant it had to be shortened by 7 Km and reduced by 250 m in elevation.
Knowing that the race would be about an hour faster due to these circumstances, the runners continued at a furious pace. Halfway through the race (49 Km, +2253 m), the order was as follows for the men: Jianjian Yang leads, closely followed by Guidu Qin two minutes behind. No longer running together are Guangfu Meng, Guomin Deng, and Dakota Jones are the next, while Longfei Yan, John Ray Onifa, and Mario Olmedo follow at around fifteen minutes off the lead.
In the women’s race at the same point, Hau Ha was leading with a fourteen-minute advantage over Veronika Leng and Lingjie Chi, a further four minutes over Ying Li and Wenli Jiang, and another fifteen minutes over Elizabeth Dangadang, Man Yee Cheung, Katrina Hamlin (Great Britain, T8), Chunyue Ma (China, Kailas Fuga), and Liping Wang (China, Anta Guanjun).
The second half to Tai Mo Shan
Upon leaving the Sain Kung peninsula and entering the protected Ma On Shan Country Park, runners have spectacular views over the city as they run along the hills. Apart from the leading runners, this is where night falls, making the contrast between the illuminated city and the rocky trails one of the most memorable sections for the runners.
After 70 Kilometres and over 3,500 metres of climbing, the men’s race is becoming clearer: Following the withdrawal of Jianjian Yang and Mario Olmedo, Guidu Qin is now in the lead, followed by Guomin Deng (+5’) and Guomin Deng in third place (+3’). They are followed by Dakota Jones (+2’) and John Ray Onifa (+15’). There is still over a half marathon to go.
Guidu Quin takes the gold.
A final steep climb to the highest point of the race, Tai Mo Shan (957 m), and a rapid descent to the finish line. The first 1500 points of the 2026 World Trail Majors series goes to Guidu Qin (08:52:36), followed by Guangfu Meng (08:58:50), with Guomin Deng (09:09:48) completing the podium. Dakota Jones finishes fourth, followed by John Ray Onifa. Our top spaniard at the finish line was Abel Carretero, who placed eleventh in 10:18:26.
Shared victory for Hau Ha and Veronika Leng!
Among the women, at Beacon Hill (70 Km, +3543 m), and after almost 8 hours, , Hau Hu appears with a solid advantage of around ten minutes over Veronika Leng, followed by Lingjie Chi (+6’) and Ying Li (+21’). The race seemed to be tipping in favour of the Vietnamese runner, with victory depending only on Hu avoiding any mistakes. However, seven kilometres later the gap is cut in half—making up almost a minute per kilometre was not part of the plan for either the Vietnamese runner or the Slovak athlete based in Hong Kong.
At the next checkpoint, Veronika claws back another minute. The gap is now down to four minutes, with just nine kilometres to go, including the climb over Tai Mo Shan and the descent to the finish.
The surprise comes when both runners arrive at the finish line together and do not contest the win. After 10 hours, 43 minutes and 35 seconds, Hau Hu and Veronika Leng are crowned joint winners of the Anta Guanjun Hong Kong 100 2026. Lingjie Chi finishes third (10:52:22), Ying Li fourth (11:28:04), and Wengli Jiang fifth (11:29:46).
The Half 50k goes to Ruqin Wang and Xuemei Huang
In 2025, the Short Series by World Trail Majors began in response to interest in shorter, more accessible races for everyone. Around 50 Km distance, the perfect step into Ultra, it attracted many high-level runners as well as thousands of runners stepping into Trail/ultra and seasoned runners wanting the shorter challenges. The overall victories went to the ever-fast Chinese athletes, Jianjian Yang (M), and Fuzhao Xiang (F).
The Half, approximately half the length of the HK100, opens the Shoet Series in its second edition. Also affected by landslides, it is 7 Km shorter than last year, 50 km and +2118 m.
The top seeds on the start line for the men were Rui Ueda (Japan, Rui/Red Bull), Anton Gustafsson (Sweden, X-Bionic), Luke Grenfell-Shaw (United Kingdom, Brooks), and the Chinese trio of Tian Peng (Aonijie), Shi Aiai and Shi Guo (Nnormal), among others. On the women’s side were Eszter Csillag (Hungary, Hoka), Xuemei Huang (China, Nike ACG), Yuri Yoshizumi (Japan, Kailas Fuga), Lei Yan (China, Hoka), and Eve Moore (United Kingdom). Toni McCann did not start the race as she has not yet fully recovered from a recent injury.
From the start, the pace was fast and furious, and after two dams, two beaches, 19 Km and +711 m, as expected, the men’s leading group is large including: Shi Guo, Shi Aiai, Anton Gustafsson, Ruqin Wang (China) and others. In the women’s race, it is similar, with: Jael Morales (Mexico, Mexico Imparable), Xuemei Huang y Vanja Cnops (Belgium, T8) in the lead.
A powerful climb with large steps would be the next section, 32 Km, +1418 m, which would show the 2 men: Ruqein Wang half minute ahead of Guo Shi and another minute for Swedish Gustafsson. At this point Rueda drops. In the women’s race, Xuemei Huang looks solid leading.
The final sections.
The fast and technical sections follow, one after the other and the battle at the front is fierce. The small town of Yung Shue (41 Km, +1652 m) was reached, in this order: Ruqin Wang leads by just over 90 seconds from Guo Shi and 22 more seconds from Gustafsson, while in the women’s race Xuemei Huang remains in the lead, with Yan Yang now in second place, less than three minutes behind. Just nine kilometres with a short, steep slope before the finish line.
Finally, Ruqin Wang (03:56:14) y Xuemei Huang (04:48:12) are victorious in The Half 2026 and are the new leaders of the Short Series by World Trail Majors; second were Anton Gustafsson (03:58:14) and Yan Yang (04:48:56); Guo Shi (03:58:32) and Eszter Csillag (04:51:17) close out the podium. Fourth are Sheng Zhang (China) and Yuri Yoshizumi, and fifth Luke Grenfell-Shaw and Jael Morales.
Anta Guanjun Hong Kong 100 has successfully kicked off the World Trail Majors once again. A benchmark race throughout Asia and recognised worldwide. The season promises to be exciting, with fierce battles for the top spots and many dreams fulfilled. Next stop, Arizona.
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.
