The Hong Kong Island Coastal Trail Challenge is back with a bang! The 3rd edition of The Challenge is a charity event co-organised by three local NGOs – Designing Hong Kong, iDiscover, and Parks & Trails – and powered by TrailWatch. This edition promises to be bigger and better with new events, goodies for participants, fundraising for local parks and trails, supporting local businesses and last but not least, more prizes to win with a total value of over $200,000 and counting!
From 1 December 2022 to 31 January 2023, everyone is invited to hike or run (parts of) the 65-km-long Coastal Trail loop around Hong Kong Island. It’s an invitation to be active, (re)discover Hong Kong’s natural beauty and history, support the upkeep of local parks and trails, and make memories along the way. All participants are in the running to win amazing prizes from homegrown brands, get a well-stocked goodie bag, plus a certificate of completion as a new, added bonus.
The Hong Kong Island Coastal Trail Challenge 2022/23: Leisure & Racing
Also new this year is that participants can choose between two events to sign up for: Leisure or Racing.
The Leisure Event invites keen explorers to walk any, several, or all eight stages of the Coastal Trail in their own time and at their own pace while completing a fun scavenger hunt; whereas the Racing Event is for those looking to test their speed and endurance. Runners can sign up for one or more of the following three races: the 65km Coastal Run One Go, the 15km Harbourfront Run, or the 25km Hill Run. To add to the fun, all participants can take part in weekly themed photo challenges through Instagram and Facebook!
The Coastal Trail Challenge is a self-guided event. Participants are asked to track their runs and walks through the free TrailWatch app or any other hiking or running app to show proof of completion to the organisers and be eligible to win prizes.
Awards and Prizes will be presented at the in-person closing ceremony at the AIA Vitality Park at the Hong Kong Observation Wheel in Central on Saturday, 11 February 2023.
A Challenge for Good Causes
For its third edition, the organisers of The Challenge have launched a “five-for-one” incentive for charity. For every five successful sign-ups referred by a company, club, organisation, or KOL, The Hong Kong Island Coastal Trail Challenge donates one free entry to either a beneficiary of RUN or WISE HK.
Participants are asked to make a small donation when registering for The Challenge. This helps the organisers continue their mission to improve way-finding, connect the missing links, and manage the upkeep of the parks and trails of the Hong Kong Island Coastal Trail.
Another goal of The Challenge is to support local businesses. By joining forces with homegrown brands and F&B outlets to organise the scavenger hunt, gift prizes, and goodie packs, the organisers aim to spotlight Hong Kong-made goods and encourage participants to shop and eat local during The Challenge and beyond.
Registration & Donations
Registrations are open from October 20, 2022, to January 30, 2023.
For the Leisure Event, a minimum donation of HK$150 per participant is requested at the registration stage.
For the Racing Event, a minimum donation of HK$250 per participant is requested at the registration stage and depends on the distance and team composition, whether Solo, Pair, Team of 4, or Corporate team of 4.
Merchandise & Finisher Rewards
Local gift shop Tiny Island designed a limited-edition hiking towel for The Challenge. Upon registration, participants can purchase it for just HK$175 (retail HK$200). 50% of the proceeds are donated to Parks & Trails to better Hong Kong’s trails and country parks.
Leisure participants can earn a collection of eight pins of iconic Hong Kong landmarks specially created for The Challenge. For each stage walked, they collect one pin. They will have a Hong Kong Island puzzle upon completing the trail.