Organized by: Seyon Asia Limited

Sham Tseng Mountain Marathon Race Course
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Sham Tseng Reservoir (above Tsing Long Tau off Castle Peak Rd.)
Public Buses:  52X, 53

Registration:          08-08:50
Race Start:             09:00

Half marathon       23.95 km     1055 meters cumulative altitude gain
Full marathon        37.00 km     2200 meters cumulative altitude gain

Cut offs:  There will be hard cut off for full marathoners at CP 2 at 1200 ( must divert to half marathon course) and at CP 4 at 1430 (must get in the support van).

Full Marathon - Maximum Allowed Time 7.5 hours – 5 water stops

Start:  Sham Tseng Reservoir – Service Rd. above highway – Yuen Tun – Pipeline Trail -  Park Access Rd – Country Park Warden Post – Bamboo Contour Trail toward Tin Fu Tsai – Kat Hing Bridge – End Section 9 of Maclehose – Ho Pui Reservoir – Contour Trail toward Kap Lung – Cross Section 9 of Maclehose Long/Short Split – Chuen Long –Tai Mo Shan Fire Lookout – Trail down southern flank of Tai Mo Shan – Contour Trail and road to Chuen Long – Cross Route Twisk – Catchwater Trail – Ha Fa Shan – Shek Lung Kung – Pipeline Trail/Ancient Trail – Tsing Fai Tong – Sham Tseng Reservoir Finish

Half Marathon - Maximum Allowed Time 6.0 hours – 3 water stops

Start:  Sham Tseng Reservoir – Service Rd. above highway – Yuen Tun – Pipeline Trail -  Park Access Rd – Country Park Warden Post – Bamboo Contour Trail toward Tin Fu Tsai – Kat Hing Bridge – End Section 9 of Maclehose – Ho Pui Reservoir – Contour Trail toward Kap Lung – Cross Section 9 of Maclehose Long/Short Split – West on Maclehose – turn left to Lin Fa Shan – down to Sheung Tong – trail beside stream to road – Ancient Trail/Pipeline Trail to Tsing Fai Tong – Sham Tseng Reservoir

Race Course Hints and Suggestions

Maps - Although the course has been marked with white arrows and white ribbons, the arrows tend to fade overtime.  Purchasing a Northwest New Territories 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.

Water – There are a total of 3 water stops on the half marathon course and 5 on the full marathon course.  Water will be provided near Kat Hing Bridge, crossing section 9 of the Maclehose (Full/half split), near the Tai Mo Shan Fire Lookout, at the Route Twisk/catchwater intersection and at Tsing Fai Tong. Each runner may take one 0.5 liter bottle of Bon Aqua Water at each water stop.  Additional water can be purchased in Chuen Long village on the full marathon course.  Due to the length of the courses, runners are advised to prepare appropriately and carry water sufficient for their own needs.

Weather - It can be hot this time of the year and approximately 30% of each course is exposed to direct sunlight.  Hats and sunscreen are recommended.

Trail Conditions – Much of the half marathon trail takes place on undulating contour trail, the pipeline trail and obvious hiking trails, though they are still rocky and rough in places.  Only the descent from Lin Fa Shan to Sheung Tong is particularly steep and rough. The full marathon includes a very demanding ascent of Tai Mo Shan and a very long and steep descent.  If it has rained recently, it will be slippery.   On the full marathon, Route Twisk – which is a very busy road – must be crossed twice.  Runners should very careful while crossing the road.