Hong Kong Island Coastal Trail Challenge 2022-23 ('The Challenge' for short) concluded successfully by the end of January with 1200 participants, breaking the previous record of attendance. Around 200 runners (Racing event) joined our 65km one go, 25km Hill Run and 15km Harbour Run while 1000 hikers (Leisure event) walked in parts or full the 65km-long Coastal Trail loop around Hong Kong Island.
Winners of 65km One Go Solo
In the Racing event, the fastest time was clocked by Mr. Jonathan Gilchrist that conquered the whole coastline in just 6 hours and 41 minutes, setting the fastest record for The Challenge, while Ms. Deena Schwan finished in 7 hours and 21 minutes.
Youngest Leisure Event Finishers (Photo Credit to Tracy)
In the Leisure event, over 400 people, from aged 5 to 70, completed all eight stages of the trail, circumnavigating Hong Kong Island. One participant even completed the whole loop with her pet dog! Hikers also participated in a scavenger hunt and solved clues about local culture and heritage, and took photos on the way.
Leisure Event Participant with Her Pet Dog (Photo Credit to Kally)
Closing ceremony
The event ended on February 11 with an award presentation at AIA Vitality Hub.
"We are happy to see that more than thousands of participants have walked the trail and shared their stories and photos with us along their journeys," Paul Zimmerman, CEO of Designing Hong Kong remarked, "now the Coastal Trail is in the Policy Address, we are excited to see Government’s input to the Trail. We hope to see the Trail keep improving and attracting more locals and tourists to explore the island on foot"
"We are delighted people young and old are enjoying the Hong Kong Island Coastal Trail. Many of them are using TrailWatch to circumnavigate the route and provide comments to our event," Agnes Cheng, CEO of Parks and Trails, said at the closing ceremony. "I hope that people have a wonderful experience and this will then serve as a starting point for them to join forces in preserving our nature,” she continued.
Hong Kong Coastal Trail Challenge 2022-23 Event Ambassador Jovelyn Soriano added, "I was amazed to discover a lot of places I have never been to, such as Sai Wan Swimming shed, the waterfall at waterfall bay park, Wah Fu Celestial Hole and the Buddha statues to name a few. I felt the sense of accomplishment after walking the whole loop!" She also commented that there are less sign posts to follow in this route and suggested improvements.
Connecting well-known routes, small paths and lost tracks, the Coastal Trail is a fascinating journey around Hong Kong Island’s coastline. The 65-km-long trail is divided into 8 stages, from easy to moderate in difficulty and from steep, remote mountain climbs to flat urban harbourside walks. The Challenge aims to promote urban walkability, access to nature and heritage, healthy, sustainable living and responsible travel. It also seeks to enable the community to become cultural and environmental ambassadors.