Trail Running Association Hong Kong (TRAHK)
TRAILME: As you have some prominent runners and race organizers as founding members, what was the inspiration to establish TRAHK?
Janet: We work for the same concept. Some of us are both runners and race organizers. We love this sport and have been playing it for a long time. Trail running develops quickly in Hong Kong and other places in the world. Though it isn’t a hard sport that require specific skills, there are know-hows in the sport for beginners to learn. TRAHK would like to emphasize on the safety of runners and promote environmental protection.
TRAILME: TRAHK has established as a running association for trail runners for years, what was the development of the past years – and what are your plans for TRAHK in the near future?
Janet: Well… Compared to other established associations, we are just a beginner in the field. As our founding members are familiar with the sport, we can target on our members’ needs. We offer sharing sessions on important to topics, like getting everybody active to engage in the sport.
TRAILME: How does your member structure look like? How can runners register as members?
Janet: Our registration procedures are simple. Memberships are divided into 2 groups: individuals and organizers. The latter group contains race organizers, sports clubs and running clubs. Besides, half of our executive committee are race organizers and the other half of them are individual elected representatives. We believe that this system can help address different concerns of our members.
TRAILME: What are the benefits of the membership?
Janet: TRAHK organizes seminars and workshops that are exclusive to members. We often have collaborations with shops which offer discounts to our members as well. In addition. Our members are eligible to draw lots for the quota of some popular trail running events for free.
Questions about Challenges Brought by the Pandemic
TRAILME: How do you see the actual situation in the trail running scene – mostly all races are postponed or cancelled. What is needed to “survive”?
Janet: TRAHK has other events and challenges in the pipeline for trail runners to participate. Hong Kong’s trail running peak season is from September to late March and the cancellation of races make it a critical environment for our survival. As a race organizer myself, I recognize that when a race organizer commits to the event, there are a lot of preparation work to do and decisions to make according to the development of the pandemic. Financial management is another crucial part of the game because there are additional costs involved in heightening the hygiene of the race. Therefore, we really hope that the sponsors can support us in overcoming this difficult time.
TRAILME: Is there anything TRAHK can do to help racers with the special arrangements of recent races?
Janet: TRAHK provides a race calendar for runners to check. It also directs runners back to the race organizers’ websites which facilitates them to look for other events and better plan their season. Besides, there is another organization, International Trail Running Association (ITRA) which issues safety protocol for trail running under COVID-19. It provides guidance for race organizers about what to do when races restart and social distancing strategies for trail running races. As many countries like Sweden, Spain and Portugal have restarted races already, we feel like race organizers in Hong Kong also has to get to grips with the international standard.
TRAILME: How about the Government, do you see a support for organizing races with special rules and prevention for social distancing running?
Janet: The HKSAR doesn’t give guidelines on trail running events. It seems like we have to live with the fact that COVID-19 will not go away and we will have to adapt to this environment. Indeed, there are ways to make trail running events no infringing the social distancing rules. We can take reference from race organizers of other countries where racers can choose their starting time and the award ceremonies are skipped. It’s better for us to stick with the social distancing rules than cancelling all trail running events. We’ll adapt to the new normal.
Questions about Virtual Races and Support
TRAILME: Can virtual races replace real races? Why or why not?
Janet: Virtual race is a good way to keep those who signed up for the race to be motivated. It complements traditional trail running event as it is a goal for runners to keep themselves driven. However, it cannot replace the traditional events because people are social animals who enjoy sharing the trail running journey and experiencing the highs and lows in an ultra. It’s the feeling of taking up the challenge together. Less satisfaction can be brought by virtual races as the feeling of together is lost.
TRAILME: What else can help to support the trail running community right now?
Janet: Real-time tracking from TRAILME is a super tool to the community. Many runners are motivated to join the events because of the supports from friends and family. This tool helps make the race more interesting and interactive. Besides, when elite runners join the event, many fans would like to follow him. The recent tech can only follow them on the finishing line, not in the course of the event. This technology can also help seed runners as race organizers can put them into different positions and facilitate the event based on runners’ predicted finishing time. This live tracking technology also keeps racers safe, especially under the unpredictable weather. Knowing the whereabouts of racers is a way to ensure racers’ safety. This technology assists race management as well. Race organizers can make sure there are enough food, drinks and staff at the checkpoints to cater for the racers’ arrival. All of these features make the event better.
TRAILME: What service can the race organizers provide to serve better the runners?
Janet: Race organizers can give more health and weather information to runners. Knowing the symptoms of overheating and heat stroke are important. Local runners have to pay extra attention to their physiological needs when joining races in foreign countries. TRAHK would like to promote the idea that other than race organizers, racers are also responsible for their own bodies. Racers should learn outdoor survival skills regardless of the event. They should know how to survive in the wild independently and liquids are extremely important. Phones and planning are equally important. In addition, race organizers can give out souvenirs, send photos and videos to runners as a memento upon the completion of the event. Moreover, race organizers should also simplify the way for runners to check their race statistics so that runners can compare their performance easier.
Question about Personal Trail Running Habit
TRAILME How do you handle running with a mask on trails outdoor?
Janet: I try using different masks in my trail run and see which feels the best. I find my self-made masks fit and feel the best. I use a thin face mask over a plastic frame that covers my mouth and nose. Some of my friends adjusted their run to a slower pace than usual. Overall, trail runners are resilient and capable of adapting to this new normal.
