Your Guide To Runs And Races In Hong Kong For 2020

We’ve done the legwork and rounded up the most anticipated marathons, road and trail races and fun runs in Hong Kong throughout 2020.

With no better time than the present to make a fresh start, committing to a road or trail race in 2020 is a great way to keep up with those new year fitness resolutions. There’s no shortage of running events in Hong Kong, so whether you’re about to embark on your first training plan or a master marathoner, we’ve got all the info on the best races coming up this year.

Read more: Top Five Running Spots on Hong Kong Island

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

January

Vibram Hong Kong 100 Ultra Trail Race
Based on Hong Kong’s famous MacLehose Trail, this “ultra endurance” race features diversions including remote beaches and forest, steep hills and reservoirs, and finishes with a take-no-prisoners descent from Hong Kong’s highest peak – Tai Mo Shan. Registration for this year’s event has now closed, but registration for 2021’s race should begin early in December 2020.

Best for: Long-distance trail runners
When: Friday, 17 January to Sunday, 19 January
Distance: 103km (or take on the half-distance course instead!)

February

The 9 Dragons
This challenging multi-day trail and ultra running event is certainly not for the faint hearted! Choose your distance and see if you can conquer the “eight dragons” of Kowloon.

Best for: Experienced runners; long-distance runners
When: Friday, 31 January to Sunday, 2 February
Distance: 10km; 22km; 50km; 82km

Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon series
Hong Kong’s biggest road running event, which hosts a full marathon, half marathon, 10k (both running and wheelchair), plus a number of short races for children and families, is back for 2020. Beginning in Tsim Sha Tsui and ending in Causeway Bay, the relatively flat road courses offer some of the best chances in the 852 to smash your personal best! This year’s race is already full, so if you’ve not got a place, why not go along and cheer on the participants and enter the ballot for the 2021 event when it opens later this year?

Best for: Road running fans
When: Saturday, 9 February (the ballot for the 2021 races will open in September/October 2020)
Distance: 10km; 21km; 42km; plus various shorter races

Gold Coast Green Race
If you’ve not got a place in this year’s marathon but still want to enter a race this February, then this brand new event from The Green Race is for you. This runnable trail race (you can choose to enter the 10km, 15km or 25km) begins and ends on Hong Kong’s Gold Coast, making for scenic running views throughout the race – plus the chance to chill at the beach once you’ve finished!

Best for: Trail runners looking for a new challenge
When: Saturday, 9 February
Distance: 10km, 15km, 25km

The Trail Hub Valentine’s Day Race
Featuring two distances that both start and finish at Treasure Island on Pui O Beach, this race is suitable for any running level. If you’re a beginner, the Easy Love 9km Route is short and quick, and if you’re looking for a challenge, opt for the Tough Love 14km Route with an elevation gain of 700m. Pair up – you run in a team!

Best for: Beginners; groups
When: Saturday, 15 February
Distance: 9km; 14km

Sai Kung 50
This run has three different distances available to choose from, tours some of the beautiful beaches on the Sai Kung Peninsula, and features steep climbs as well as flat concrete.

Best for: Beginners; experienced runners
When: Saturday, 15 February
Distance: 12km; 22km; 54km

March

TransLantau
Taking place on the biggest outlying island of Hong Kong, this brutal coastline course covers two country parks – making it an entirely green run.

Best for: Experienced trail runners
When: Friday, 28 February to Sunday, 1 March
Distance: 25km; 50km; 100km

Fast 100
Focusing on fast and flat courses, this run begins in Tuen Mun and covers three distances: a super speedy 28km, a quick 50km, and a new for 2020 50-mile course. The track covers mountain biking trails and reservoirs so look out for the views!

Best for: Experienced runners; long-distance runners
When: Saturday, 7 March
Distance: 28km; 50km; 50 miles

Healthy Hike & Run
With three beautiful and easy-to-run routes around Tai Lam Chun Reservoir, this New Territories race is perfect for families and beginners.

Best for: Beginners; families; hiking fans
When: Sunday, 8 March, 8:30am (19km), 8:50am (5km, 13km)
Distance: 5km; 13km; 19km

Stairmaster Series
These two original classic training routes are some of the toughest short course races in Hong Kong. The 22km Lantau Course follows the Sunset Peak & Lantau Peak hiking route, finishing in Nam Shan. The Stairmaster Twins course starts along Tai Tam Reservoir Road and carries on over the twins and down hundreds of stairs.

Best for: Experienced runners; athletes
When: Date TBC
Distance: 10km (Twins); 22km (Lantau)

Rebel Walker
This alternative route runs the MacLehose Trail in reverse, starting in Yuen Long and finishing in Sai Kung.

Best for: Long-distance runners
When: Saturday, 28 March to Sunday, 29 March
Distance: 50km; 100km

April

Women’s Five

This bi-annual women-only race is one of Hong Kong’s best running events for beginners. With the option to join a five-week training programme when you sign up, it’s also a brilliant way to meet other runners of all levels and discover new routes on Hong Kong Island. April’s races will take place in the scenic setting of Aberdeen Country Park. Registration is open now!

Best for: Beginners; casual runners; everyone!
When: Saturday, 4 April
Distance: 5km; 10km

Country of Origin Trail Run
One of Hong Kong’s most unique races is back for 2020! Team up with two other people with the same passport as you for this 30km run, which aims to bring different nationalities together for a great day out on Lantau Island. Your team must start, run and finish together, and fancy dress in national costume and/or colours is highly encouraged!

Best for: Groups
When: Saturday, 18 April
Distance: 30km

Spartan East Asia

Editor’s Note: This race has been postponed to Saturday, 30 May 2020.

If you’re looking for a race with a (gruelling) twist, then the Spartan 2020 Hong Kong might be for you. Choose your distance – the 5km Sprint, or the 10km Super and get ready to face the obstacles you’ll encounter along the way.

Best for: Those up for a different type of athletic challenge!
When: Saturday, 18 April
Distance: 5km; 10km (both include obstacles!)

Easter Trail Run
Beginning and ending in Aberdeen Country Park, this 10km race on Hong Kong Island is short, fun, and beautiful!

Best for: Beginners; families
When: Friday, 10 April
Distance: 8km family race; 14km

Mount Butler Heritage Race
The Mount Butler Heritage Race is in its 44th year! This veteran Hong Kong Island race goes from Tai Tam Reservoir up to Mount Parker Road and features hills, roads, trails and steps.

Best for: Beginners
When: Sunday, 19 April
Distance: 15km

May

Pottinger GreenRace
With various routes on offer, this race from Pottinger Gap in Shek O is suitable for any experience level. Choose from 5km solo, 7km solo, 15km solo or pairs, or a 5km family challenge.

Best for: Beginners; families; experienced runners
When: Saturday, 16 May
Distance: 7km; 15km

Midsummer Race 1
For an easy (or easier than most on this list) afternoon run, this 14km route features a little bit of a climb before joining the MacLehose Trail and heading down to Shing Mun Reservoir.

Best for: Beginners; families; experienced runners
When: Saturday, 9 May
Distance: 14km

June

Midsummer Race 2
Another XTE Race afternoon run, this 11km route starts and finishes at Aberdeen Reservoir on Hong Kong Island and goes through Middle Gap, Black’s Link and Wan Chai Gap.

Best for: Beginners; families
When: Saturday, 20 June
Distance: 11km

July

Midsummer Race 3
An easy run in the New Territories, starting and finishing at Tsuen Kam Au and featuring a nature country trail. Perfect for beginners!

Best for: Beginners; families
When: Date TBC
Distance: 12km

August

GreenRace Tigershead
The fourth edition of this race will start from Mui Wo River Silver Garden and go through local villages, past Silvermine Cave, descend into Discovery Bay and head back towards Mui Wo. Run solo or in teams of two.

Best for: Environmental enthusiasts
When: Saturday, 22 August
Distance: 8km; 16km

September

MSIG Immortals Pat Sin Leng
This Pat Sin Leng trail promises to be both fun and difficult, with half of the route on road and including some challenging climbs.

Best for: Experienced runners
When: Saturday, 19 September
Distance: 5km; 19km; 34km

October

Lantau 2 Peaks
A challenging trail running race featuring hills and sustained climbs. You can really test your fitness (and treat yourself to beautiful views) as you run through Sunset Peak and Lantau Peak!

Best for: Experienced runners; athletes
When: Date TBC
Distance: 21km

Raleigh Wilson Trail
Running for almost two decades, this off-road long-distance race covers nine sections of the Wilson trail.

Best for: Beginners; families; experienced runners
When: Date TBC
Distance: 30km; 50km; 80km

Barclays MoonTrekker
Barclays MoonTrekker challenges you to beat the sun(rise), making you hike overnight whilst you raise money. Last year’s trek featured three distances: Moonlit 30, Sunrise 40 and Phoenix 50.

Best for: Charity; long-distance runners
When: Date TBC
Distance: 30km; 40km; 50km

Sowers Action Challenge 12 Hours
Beginning in Yau Tong and ending in Tai Po, this annual marathon event aims to promote education and raise money for schools in rural China.

Best for: Runners of all abilities
When: Date TBC
Distance: 12km; 26km; 42km; 53km

November

MSIG Summits Mui Wo
The last of the MSIG and GreenRace series starts and finishes at Mui Wo and climbs Sunset Peak and Lantau Peak.

Best for: Experienced runners
When: Date TBC
Distance: 17km; 27km; 50km

Hong Kong Disneyland 10k Weekend
Join thousands of runners for a weekend of fun at Hong Kong Disneyland’s annual 10k event – which also includes shorter races for families and kids. Expect to see your favourite characters cheering for you on this flat road course, which finishes right in the heart of the park. Mickey ears are optional, but encouraged.

Best for: Beginners; families; everyone!
When: Date TBC
Distance: 3km; 5km; 10km

The Steelcase Dragon Run
Established in 2007, this World Surfski Series event features a 24km paddling course from Clearwater Bay Beach to Stanley as well as a shorter, 10km race option.

Best for: Experienced runners; athletes
When: Saturday, 14 November
Distance: 10km; 24km

Oxfam Trailwalker Hong Kong
One of the largest fundraising sports events in Hong Kong, this is a great choice to both up your fitness and help those in need.

Best for: Anyone!
When: Date TBC
Distance: 100km

December

The North Face 100
Part of The North Face’s Ultra Trail series, this challenging race promises steep inclines and gorgeous Hong Kong countryside. One for experienced runners only.

Best for: Experienced runners; athletes
When: Date TBC
Distance: 50km; 100km

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in January 2019 by Sakina Abidi and was updated in January 2020 by Sam Book.