The aminoVITAL CAM2 Hong Kong Mountain Road Championships 2023 hosted by the Hong Kong Athletics Federation will be held on April 23, 2023. The 4th Hong Kong Mountain Road Championships will again be sponsored by Amino Vital and CAM2, and jointly sponsored by Watsons Distilled Water, Oakley and CRAFT.
This year's competition has three distance groups: long distance, short distance, and a new experience group. These 3 distance groups have an open group for people aged 20 or above (born in 2003 or before), and an experience group for people aged 16 to 19 (born in 2007 to 2004) youth group.
The organizer has announced the route information. The long-distance and short-distance routes are similar to those of last year. Some road sections and checkpoint locations have been changed. Participants need to pay attention, and the distance has also increased compared to last year. Compared with the previous one, this year's route is more challenging. The experience group is a new route with relatively low difficulty.
Competition information and registration details: https://hkaaa.com/tc/comp_details.php?id=221
Now let's analyze each route for you.
long distance
The long route has a distance of approximately 59.8 kilometers and an ascent of approximately 2,828 meters. The start and finish points are located at the Bradbury Jockey Club Youth Hostel, and there are 5 checkpoints in total. The whole route combines multiple uphills and downhills with different ranges. The total climb is above average, and it is held in hot weather. This is a difficult track, so it is recommended that participants have adequate preparations. In addition, since there are not many supply locations on weekdays, please bring sufficient supplies for training.
Photo source: Hong Kong Athletics Association
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(The route is subject to the announcement of the conference and may be slightly adjusted)
(Starting point) Bradbury Jockey Club Youth Hostel - (CP1) Hetau Camp
Start from the starting point of Bradbury Jockey Club Youth Hostel, walk along Tai Mei Tuk Road and Ting Kok Road, pass Pat Sin Leng Nature Education Trail, connect to Section 10 of Wei Yixin Trail, climb Pat Sin Leng and Huang Ling, from the starting point to Pat Sin The first peak of Baxian Ridge is all ascending. After arriving at Baxianling, it passes through the peaks of Baxianling and turns to a moderate up and down hill. After Baxianling reaches Huangling, it becomes relatively flat. After reaching Pingfeng Mountain, it descends rapidly. Go to Hok Tau Reservoir, then follow Hok Tau Road to CP1 at Hok Tau Camp.
This section can be regarded as the most difficult section of the entire competition, with a large range of ups and downs, and most of the road sections are unsheltered. Even in the early section of the competition, more attention should be paid to physical consumption and replenishment.
(CP1) Hok Tau Camp - (CP2) Hok Tau Wai
Leaving the checkpoint at the Crane Camp, follow the road towards Section 9 of Wei Yixin Trail, follow the Hok Sou Reservoir Jiale Trail, then follow the direction of Zhangwu, pass Zhangwu, and go for a short section. This section is relatively flat. After that, turn right and go up the mountain to climb Jiulongkeng Mountain. The distance is not too long, but the ascent is more rapid. Descending from the top of Kowloon Hang Mountain, follow the wide slope of gravel and gravel road to the pavilion, turn right to Liushuixiang Country Trail, after arriving at Liushuixiang Reservoir, follow Hok Tau Road to the checkpoint at Hok Tau Wai.
This section is relatively flat or downhill except for the section up to Jiulongkeng Mountain, and the body can be restored through this section.
(CP2) Hok Tau Wai - (CP3) Nam Chung
After the Hok Tau Wai checkpoint, climb up the hill along the Hok Tau Country Trail, then descend to San Wu Tsai, then climb along the Nam Chung Country Trail, bypass Kuitau Ridge, and then descend to Nam Chung Road. The ascent range is above average, but Since reaching this section is about the middle of the competition, more attention should be paid to the distribution of physical strength.
During training, if you consider leaving at this section, you can walk to Nam Chung and transfer to a minibus to Fanling.
(CP3) Nam Chung - (CP4) Wu Kau Tang
Starting from the end of Wei Yixin Trail, go down the mountain road behind Qimu Bridge, go down the mountain to Bridal Pool Road through the Hengqi Ancient Road, cross the road, and arrive at the checkpoint of the Wu Jiao Tang Anti-Japanese Heroes Monument.
This distance is not long, but there are many forks, so pay more attention during training to avoid going wrong.
(CP4) Wu Jiao Teng- (CP5) Bride's Pool
After leaving the checkpoint, go through Wu Kau Tang Road and Ci Sum Road, then climb towards the direction of A Ma Wat, and then turn down the hill to the direction of Lai Chi Wo, Sam A Tsuen and Sam A Chung. This section of the road is relatively flat. After Sam A Chung, it turns up , to Dadong and Hengling'ao, and then down the mountain to the direction of Bride's Pool, and then you will arrive at the checkpoint of Bride's Pool Road.
This overall climb is mainly at the beginning or end. But the distance is long, and we have reached the end of the race, so more attention should be paid to the distribution of physical strength.
(CP5) Bride's Pool - (Finish) Bradbury Jockey Club Youth Hostel
Leaving the checkpoint at Bride's Pool, along the Pat Sin Leng Nature Education Trail, you will go through the final climb of the race, and then return to the initial section of the race. Turn back along the road and you will reach the end point.
Short <br>The short route has a distance of approximately 27.9 kilometers and an ascent of approximately 1,051 meters. The start and finish points are located at the Bradbury Jockey Club Youth Hostel, and there are 2 checkpoints in total. The overall distance and climbing range are medium, which is more suitable for some runners who love challenges and love short and medium distances.
Photo source: Hong Kong Athletics Association
Download GPX file
(The route is subject to the announcement of the conference and may be slightly adjusted)
(Starting point) Bradbury Jockey Club Youth Hostel - (CP1) Wu Kau Tang
Start from the starting point of Tai Mei Tuk, go along Tai Mei Tuk Road and Ting Kok Road, turn to Pat Sin Leng Nature Education Trail, this is a climbing dirt road section, turn down at about 3.6 kilometers, and then pass Hengqi Ancient Road Go down the hill to Bridal Pool Road near Wu Kau Tang, and you will arrive at the checkpoint.
(CP1) Wu Jiao Teng- (CP2) Bride's Pool
After leaving the checkpoint, go through Wu Kau Tang Road and Ci Sum Road, then climb towards the direction of A Ma Wat, and then turn down the hill to Lai Chi Wo, Sam A Tsuen and Sam A Chung. This section of the road is relatively flat. Go towards Bride's Pool, then go to the checkpoint on Bride's Pool Road.
(CP2) Bride's Pool - (Finish) Bradbury Jockey Club Youth Hostel
Leaving the checkpoint at Bride's Pool, along the Pat Sin Leng Nature Education Trail, you will go through the final climb of the race, and then return to the initial section of the race. Turn back along the road and you will reach the end point.
Experience group <br>The route distance of the experience group is about 9.7 kilometers, and the climb is about 485 meters. The starting point is at the lower Au on Bridal Pool Road, and the finishing point is at the Bradbury Jockey Club Youth Hostel. The difficulty of the route is relatively low, and novices and young runners can handle it.
Photo source: Hong Kong Athletics Association
Download GPX file
(The route is subject to the announcement of the conference and may be slightly adjusted)
(Starting point) Xiangxiaao - (CP1) Bride's Pond
Starting from the Xia'ao Barbecue Site on Bride's Pool Road, turn left into Wu Kau Teng Country Trail. You need to climb a hill, then descend to Xinwu Village, and you will reach the Bride's Pool checkpoint through the trail.
(CP1) Bride's Pool - (Finish) Bradbury Jockey Club Youth Hostel
Leaving the checkpoint at Bride's Pool, along the Pat Sin Leng Nature Education Trail, you will go through the final climb of the race, and then return to the initial section of the race. Turn back along the road and you will reach the end point.