TRAILME: How did you get started as a race organizer? 

Well, I’ve been running for over 12 years and our goal as organizers was to create a quality race for the local running community. I’ve raced the Ultra-Trail Mount Fuji (UTMF), and the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB). I was really impressed with how the Japanese organise their races. Their races are fantastic. And I wanted to create a race in Hong Kong that’s as good as theirs.  

TRAILME: Will you tell us a little bit about the 12 Peaks? 

The 12 Peaks is a very special race because we run across the MacLehose — Hong Kong’s most iconic trail. The 56k is a really good challenge for a runner who really wants to experience the trail. Most runners can probably complete a 20k or 30k. But for distances longer than 50k, they have to train and prepare.  

The 16k is a bit of a taste for participants who want to experience what trailrunning is, and what it might be like to run across the mountains. It’s achievable — even beginners can attempt it. 

TRAILME: It’s been a tough year for racing, with COVID-19. 

Yes, we began preparations for the 12 Peaks in April or May 2020, for a race at the end of October, but of course all our plans changed after COVID-19. So we were looking for ways to make it virtual. We still wanted to keep it a competitive, serious event, not a casual Sunday race. Someone told me to take a look at TRAILME, I tried the TRAILME system, checked out the website. I thought it was a great tool for a race organizer. 

TRAILME: What is your biggest challenge as a race organizer? 

It’s definitely safety. In a real race we can always take many measures to ensure runners are safe, put markers on the route, and volunteers at important junctions. If runners need help, I have someone on the road to help them. But in a virtual race, it’s much harder to ensure everyone is doing ok. TRAILME did us a big favor. Now if someone wants to give up, or does not finish, I know their last location, I can contact them to make sure they’re safe. For most virtual races in Hong Kong, organizers just ask participants to submit their Strava records. This means they only know the results. They don’t know what’s going on en-route. For any organizer safety is the first priority.  

TRAILME: Do you think the virtual format will carry on? 

Yes, I think so, but I think in the future, the trail runs will be virtual plus real. On the race day, we have a real race, but some days before or after the race, we can have a virtual run. So the same race, but two versions.  

TRAILME: Of course, runners miss the community spirit of group events. 

Yes, it’s a great atmosphere when hundreds of runners start at the same time. They’re chatting, they’re cheering each other on. But in the virtual format, we can do some things you cannot actually do in a real race. Now people can check the leaderboard, they can try and beat their friends, or beat the fastest runners. You have a little more flexibility in the virtual format. Say I can’t run in the day because I need to work. Now I can run at night. 2am start, 7am finish and head to work the next morning! 

TRAILME: What has been your most memorable experience on this event? 

Just seeing how passionate the runners are. I’m responsible for the 56k start, so I get up at 5am, arrive by 6am. And there are already some runners on the route. They start at 4am. At 3am. They’re amazing! Or crazy. Runners are so eager to race. If you get up at 3am or 4am to go to a start point far away from the city, that’s real passion.  

TRAILME: What role does technology have to play? 

If people want to enjoy a virtual run, I think it’s important for the app to be very easy to use. At this moment, TRAILME is very good. How do we make the set up position really easy? How do we help runners who don’t know English? Or who struggle with tech? If everyone can use and enjoy the app, then virtual races can become even more popular. 

TRAILME: What’s your personal favorite trail in Hong Kong? 

I have two. One is MacLehose Section 4 to Ma On Shan. Another is along the Wu Kau Tang Country Trail. It’s a circular path, from Wu Kau Tang to Lai Chi Wo, and back to Wu Kau Tang. The views are very beautiful. Because we don’t have so many people on this path, it’s very peaceful. When I go there I always feel much calmer after. 

TRAILME: Any words of advice for trailrunners this year? 

Trailrunning is a combination of knowing your body and knowing the environment, so you have to prepare your body and prepare for the environment — the heat, the rain, the humidity. It’s not just about physical fitness. And remember to stay hydrated, especially when its hot! 

We wish Elton all the very best for the coming year. Visit the12peaks.com to learn more.