The 2026 Anta Guanjun Hong Kong 100 (HK100) event is marking the start of the third season for the World Trail Majors. The independent series, which is backed by a non-profit association, aims to promote trail running while respecting local communities and the natural environment.
The series’ opening event in Hong Kong takes place on the Sai Kung Peninsula within a UNESCO Global Geopark. This year, 3,000 participants from 60 countries are expected to gather in the city for the competition.
Due to landslides caused by typhoons during the previous summer, the organisers have modified the courses. Consequently, the previous course records held by Meng Guangfu (09:43) and Sunmaya Budha (11:11) will remain unchallenged, with new benchmarks to be set on the slightly shorter 2026 routes.
On Friday, January 23, 2026, the series will launch its Short Series with ‘The Half’. Also adjusted due to landslides, this race covers 50km with 2,118m of elevation gain.
The flagship HK100 race covers an amended 93km with 5,028m of elevation gain. Starting at 07:00 UTC–8 on Saturday, January 24, 2026, runners will compete for a prize pool of €82,500.
In the women’s field, competition is expected to be close. Veronika Leng, who finished second last year, enters with an ITRA points score of 788. She faces Chi Lingjie (787) and Hau Thi Ha (785), who finished fifth and third respectively in the previous edition.
Hong Kong-based runner Cheung Man Yee, the runner-up in the 2025 World Trail Majors, will also compete on her home trails. Other contenders include Philippine ultra champion Elizabeth Dangadang and Canada’s Stephanie Case.
The men’s race features defending champion Meng Guangfu (929 ITRA points). He faces competition from You Peiquan, a winner in 2020 and 2023, who is seeking a record third victory.
The Chinese contingent is further bolstered by Yang Jianjian, the current Short Series champion, and 2015 winner Yan Longfei. International challengers include US-based athlete Dakota Jones, making his Hong Kong debut, Australia’s Mikey Dimuantes, and Tom Joly from the UK.
The women’s favourites for the shorter distance include Hungarian Eszter Csillag, who is based in Hong Kong, and South Africa’s Toni McCann. They will be joined by Yuri Yoshizumi, Lei Yan, and Dubai-based Briton Eve Moore.
In the men’s 50km, Rui Ueda returns after a fourth-place finish last year. He will compete against Sweden’s Anton Gustafsson and Luke Grenfell-Shaw from the UK.
Established in 2024, World Trail Majors is a non-profit association of independent races. According to the organisation, its goal is to safeguard the original spirit of trail and ultra running by promoting cultural diversity and environmental care.
The World Trail Majors currently comprises ten international events, including the Black Canyon Ultras, Mt FUJI 100, and the South Downs Way 100.
www.hk100-ultra.com
www.worldtrailmajors.com
