What a weekend!

To have the 9 Dragons back was always going to be exciting, but this year's runners showcased all manner of grit and determination, from the front to the back. I applaud you all. Whether you won, finished, scraped through checkpoints or even just started. You attempted something most wouldn't.

So thank you all for coming.

I'd like to begin by saying a huge thank you to the 172 volunteers who marked, fore-ran, manned checkpoints, swept the course and did far more than we could ever have asked.

A massive amount of appreciation goes out to the Filipino community in Hong Kong for the amazing support and the buffet at CP4, with a special mention to Dolly.

Another major shout out to RUN who made quite simply the best finish line food I've seen and eaten.

I would like to say a massive thank you to T8 for their support of the race and the awesome tech gear and prizes.

A huge thanks to the team at CAM2 sports for their support and the race pack pick up.

Thank you to UMARA for keeping runners fueled with their amazing sports drink.

Thank you to the team at TOPO for their prizes and amazing shoes!

A thanks to Ciele for their involvement in the race also.

A huge thanks to Fernet Hunter for their amazing trophies and drinks at the finish line.

A massive thank you to San Miguel for the hydration at the end of the race!

A huge thanks to our food sponsors - Bakehouse, Lotus Biscoff, Fineprint and Pirata.

Finally, I’d like to say a huge thanks to the rest of the RaceBase team - Michael, Elliot and Nia.

Now...

Time for the races.

In the men's 50 miles race, Wai Hung Wong dominated the race winning with over an hour gap between himself and second place Ho Yin Yeung. Tsz Yeung Cheng completed the podium five minutes later.

In the women's 50 mile race, there was a solid battle between Flora Wing Yee Ching and Ruth Theresia. Theresia led for the majority of the race till Pat Sing Leng where Wing was able to take the lead in the last two sections of the race. Jinko Richards came in third with a very respectable time on the course.

The 50 kilometre race was always going to have thrills and this proved the case in the men's and women's. In the men's race, Anthony Lee started strong and led into Fanling. However, right behind was John Ray Onifa and Risqi Kurniawan who powered past and continue to until Shing Mun. Lee finally caught up with Kurniawan and took the second place after 'Stingray' dominated the course with an insanely fast time. Kurniawan ended up with a highly respectful third place for the Indonesian youngster and he is definitely one to watch for the future.

As for the women's race, this was just as exciting with the leaders alternating throughout. Xu Zhonguang and Angelie Cabalo were the pacer setters to start. Then Naomi Fung found her groove and blew past. Cabalo almost caught her in the last technical downhill section but Fung held the lead to the end to finish just two minutes ahead.  The top four were separated by just 14 minutes.

The 50/50 proved to be one of the most competitive and memorable races that I have ever been involved in.

In the men's race, Saturday morning started fast with a group of runners lead by Arnie Macaneras leading the way into Fanling. But then Kristian Joergensen and Lodewijk Vrien turned the screws and started to push on. HK-based Dutchman Vriens showed his immense talent through Bride's Pool and over Pat Sing Leng, as he gained nearly 20 minutes over Joergensen.

On Sunday, the tide turned against Vriens with Joergensen and Oleksii Melnyk gaining. As the temperature got hotter, Joergensen was able to force the pace and eventually won with a ten-minute lead over Melnyk who ran himself into second place. Vriens rounded out the podium.

In the women's race, Hong Kong's Angie Yan ran a superb race and created a 20 minute lead over Xie Wenfei. In the mix was Ki Chun Wong who came in second after Yan but was carrying a small niggle after the last section. Sunday = fireworks. And Xie provided them, clawing back all of the lead that Yan had created. Yan showed her class by powering through the second half of the course and winning by 11 minutes over Xie. Ki filled the third podium spot.

The 2024 9th Dragons are:
Angie Yan and Kristian Joergensen.

We are so proud to be back on the Hong Kong trail running calendar. And I assure you—the fifth edition will be bigger and better than any before.

Thank you.

And remember—

Pain is inevitable.

-Steve

The 9 Dragons

Fifth Edition

February 2025

50/50 and more