Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge


Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge, or HK4TUC, is an annual ultramarathon race in Hong Kong. Considered one of the most challenging mountain races worldwide, participants have to run through within 72 hours the famous quadruple hiking trails in Hong Kong known as "Four Trails": MacLehose, Wilson, Hong Kong, and Lantau. The ultramarathon spans a total distance of 298 kilometres with a cumulative elevation of 14,500 metres, starting from Tuen Mun and ends at the green post box outside Silvermine Bay Ferry Pier in Mui Wo.
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History

This challenge was founded in 2012 by German expat Andre Blumberg, who had moved to Hong Kong. He explained that his intention at the time was to challenge himself and get back into shape before hitting a mid-life crisis. He set a goal of completing all four major trails within four days and ultimately succeeded in doing so on his own. In 2013, he invited other runners to join, shortening the challenge from four days to three, with 3 out of 5 participants successfully completing it.
From 2014 onward, Andre Blumberg shifted from being a runner to becoming the event’s organizer. The challenge has since been held annually during the first three days of the Lunar New Year. Runners may submit an application, and Blumberg decides on invitations based on their track record and motivation. Around twenty runners are typically selected each year. The event offers no medals, rankings, entry fees, or prize money. However, starting in 2014, two honorary titles were introduced: “Finisher” and “Survivor.” A runner earns the title of “Finisher” if they complete all four trails within 60 hours — an accolade regarded as a prestigious honor in the trail running community. Among the six participants in 2014, only Vic So managed to complete all four trails in 62 hours, earning the title of “Survivor,” though he fell short of finishing within the required time.
In 2017, director Robin Lee filmed a 45-minute documentary about the Four Trails Challenge, titled "Breaking 60 | Challenging the Impossible" which aired on Apple TV+. The documentary chronicled the arduous journey of a runner who, for the first time that year, completed the challenge under 60 hours, becoming a "finisher."
After that, Blumberg introduced new rules almost every year to increase the difficulty:
  • 2017: Cut-off of 80 hours imposed for “Survivor” category
  • 2019: Cut-off reduced to 75 hours
  • 2020: Cut-off reduced to 72 hours
  • 2021: No hiking poles or music
  • 2022: No painkillers
  • 2023: Start time shifted from morning to evening, participants therefore have to endure an extra night without sleep
  • 2024: Start time announced only 12 hours before the race
  • 2025: No watches; start time announced 6 hours before the race
The 2021 race only invited past finishers and survivors amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Prominent runners including Stone Tsang and Tom Robertshaw withdrew during the race, with Jacky Leung making history as the first that breaks the 50-hour mark. Four Trails, a film that documents that year's challenge, was released in 2025.

Four Trails

The entire challenge covers a total distance of 298 kilometres, with a cumulative elevation gain of 14,500 metres. Runners must complete all four trails individually and without help from others apart from supply facilities along the routes, such as grocery stores and vending machines, and transportation between trails. Each runner could be joined by only one support crew member and one driver during the transportation. Rest and sleep breaks are allowed during the race, but the time spent will count towards the overall result.
The four trails, individually ran in reverse from the finishing point back to the start and in the following sequence, are:

[MacLehose Trail]

100 kilometres running west to east, from Tuen Mun New Town to Pak Tam Chung, traversing several country parks including Tai Lam, Tai Mo Shan, Shing Mun, Kam Shan, Lion Rock, Ma On Shan, and Sai Kung East and West
  • Runners must complete within the cut-off time of 18 hours
  • Runners will then be taken to the next starting point by car

[Wilson Trail]

78 kilometres running north to south, from Nam Chung to Stanley, traversing Pat Sin Leng, Tai Mo Shan and several hills in New Territories and Kowloon outskirt before crossing the harbour on the MTR underground, then passing through Quarry Bay and Tai Tam
  • Runners must cross the harbour on the MTR
  • Taking the MTR to Taikoo Station is also considered part of the trail race, and no supporting crew member are allowed during this transition
  • Runners will then be taken to the next starting point by car

[Hong Kong Trail]

50 kilometres running east to west, from Tai Long Wan to Victoria Peak

[Lantau Trail]

70 kilometres looping clockwise with starting and ending both at the green post box outside Silvermine Bay Ferry Pier in Mui Wo

Records

The record holder is Wong Ho-chung who achieved a result of 46 hours 55 minutes in 2022. He, along with another local Jacky Leung, are the duo "breaking 50" achievement holders. Nikki Han and Cheung Man-yee are the two only female finisher. The youngest successful participant is Sarah Pemberton, completing the race in 70 hours 45 minutes in 2020 at the age of 26.
Only six runners claimed the "finisher" title twice: Nugo Yamanath Limbu, Jacky Leung, Salomon Wettstein, Hyun Chang Chung, Nikki Han, and Tomokazu Ihara.