BARCLAYS MOONTREKKER21 POWERED BY A CUSTOM-BUILT APP

Hong Kong’s leading over-night trail race Barclays MoonTrekker has gone virtual this year due to ongoing government restrictions, and the two-part, app-based competition is taking place from October 1 to 31.

The event traditionally runs over a single night in October, with the 1,000+ participants taking their pick between 30-kilometre and 43-kilometre night-time treks. Both races go up and over Lantau Peak, covering some of the steepest terrain in Hong Kong. The aim is to reach the finish at Pui O Beach before sunrise, either solo, as a pair or in a team of four.

This year, there’s one race distance only (25 kilometres), and competitors can attempt it as many times as they wish. Race attempts can only be started after 5pm from Mui Wo, with each runner’s best time saved on the leaderboard. The MoonTrekker team advises that participants complete all sections of the course at least twice during their training, and also incorporate night-hiking within their training programme.

For 2021, participants are required to train with a partner or ‘virtual buddy’ – someone who monitors them during their training hikes and race attempts. Virtual buddies should be in regular contact, and aware of each runner’s route and expected finish times.

During their training, participants will be given 1 MT Point for every kilometre they hike (on Lantau). A selection of additional hiking challenges have been set up enabling competitors to earn extra MT Points on or off Lantau. Aside from points, competitors also have the chance to win prizes for taking part.

Traditionally, there are two ways to win MoonTrekker – you can do so by finishing first in your category, and/ or by raising the most funds. While fundraising is not mandatory this year, it is encouraged. On registering for the event, participants are urged to set-up a SimplyGiving fundraising page and raise sponsorship for MoonTrekker’s chosen charity The Nature Conservancy (TNC), a global conservation organisation that works to protect ecologically important lands and waters.

To date, TNC’s dedicated supporters have been responsible for the conservation of thousands of miles of rivers, and the protection of millions of acres worldwide, including cross-border initiatives in the Coral Triangle and the forests of South East Asia. TNC is active here in Lantau through two key projects – oyster reef restoration and bio-diversity mapping.