Organized by: Seyon Asia Limited

Lantau Mountain Marathon Race Course
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Nam Shan Pavillion, Lantau
Public buses:  All public buses departing Mui Wo pass this spot. 

Note:  Scheduled departure is on the 8:30 AM ferry from Central to Mui Wo.   If this ferry is not running, departure will be upon the next ferry.  Check closer to the race date for scheduling changes.  For those not taking the ferry, we will also do registration at Nam Shan Pavillion.

Full Marathon Cut offs:  CP3 (Ngong Ping) 1430 and CP4 (Pak Kong Au) 1545.

Full Marathon - Maximum Allowed Time 7.5 hours – 3 Water stops

Start Time:  10:00 AM

Distance:     29.8 km, 1950 meters cumulative altitude change

Start:  Nam Shan Pavillion, South Lantau Road - Lantau Trail Section 2 - Sheung Tung Au (Full/half split) - Lin Fa Shan  - Pok To Yan - Tung Chung - San Tau - west of Nei Lak Shan - Ngong Ping (Big Buddha)- Lantau Peak - Tung Chung Au (Pak Kung Au, water stop) -  Nam Shan Pavillion finish.

Half Marathon - Maximum Allowed Time 5.0 hours – 1 Water stop

Start Time:  10:15 AM

Distance:     14.0 km

Start:  Nam Shan Pavillion, South Lantau Road - Lantau Trail Section 2 - Sheung Tung Au (Full/half split) - Sunset Peak (Tai Tung Shan) - Tung Chung Au (Pak Kung Au, water stop) -  Nam Shan Pavillion finish.

Race Course Hints and Suggestions

Maps - Although the course will be marked with white arrows and white and green ribbons, the arrows tend to fade overtime.  Purchasing a Lantau Country Park Map to take along on the run may be helpful if questions arise.  Racers are also advised to familiarize themselves with the course ahead of time.

Checkpoints - Due to the isolated nature of sections of the full marathon course, strict checkpoint closure times will be adhered to, particularly at Ngong Ping (Big Buddha) and Tung Chung Au.

Water - One water stop will be provided at Tung Chung Au (Pak Kung Au) for both full and half marathon runners.  On the full marathon course additional water stops will be provided at Tung Chung and Ngong Ping (Big Buddha).

Equipment - The vast majority of both the full and half marathon course are run in the open with little or no shade.  Hats, sunscreen, and hydration systems are recommended.

Trail Conditions - The half marathon course is the shortest and easiest of all the half marathon courses in the series.  While portions take place on steep ground, the entire race course covers major trails only.  The full marathon course, on the other hand, offers some of the most remote sections in the series and the most testing climbs.  The descent from Pok To Yan to Tung Chung is particularly steep and rough.  The vegetation on the ensuing climb to Ngong Ping (Big Buddha) is quite overgrown in places.  The climb up Lantau Peak from Ngong Ping is particularly arduous.

Although the trail will be marked with white arrows, runners should pay particular attention near Tung Chung due to the construction work which threatens to wipeout the best laid markings.  Additionally there are a couple of other turning points on the full marathon course which are difficult to mark and have caused problems in the past:

1)    On the full marathon course after the long/short split, the trail heads down hill with Por Kai Shan ahead and to the right.  A sharp left turn across a grassy field leads up toward Pok To Yan.  If one misses this turn, it is easy to end up on the Tung Chung expressway by accident.

2)    In Tung Chung, the course emerges from the forest into a village.  Head straight through the village on the most obvious roads and paths toward the skyscrapers.  Continue over the main road on the overhead walkway and follow the arrows toward the coastal trail for San Tau.

3)    Climbing steeply out of the river above San Tau, the trail eventually crests a grassy ridgeline and intersects a trail coming in from the right.  Make sure to turn left at this intersection and continue to climb in the direction of Lantau Peak.  You will eventually pass a construction site for a tower for the cable car on your way to the Buddha.

4)    The area around Ngong Ping can be confusing due to all the tourists.  If in doubt, follow signs toward the Tea Garden Restaurant to access the trail up Lantau Peak.