The Adventure Trail

The second of a two-part special looking at one of the world's toughest ultramarathons and this year's historic event during the pandemic. SCMP sports reporter Mark Agnew catches up with runner Hyun Chang Chung after his historic finish in the 2021 Hong Kong Four Trails Ultramarathon, talking about the race, the community, what he remembers and what it was like to run for nearly three days without assistance. Full story: https://bit.ly/3c20L7H

Hong Kong is famous for its urban landscape but locals love its trails: the MacLehose, Wilson, Hong Kong and Lantau trails wind upwards through mountainous jungle terrain and offer breathtaking views of land and sea. Every year upon the Lunar New Year holiday a select group of runners are invited to try and run all four trails - 298km in total - in one punishing ultramarathon. In 2021, an even smaller group are being called upon to try: Mark Agnew interviews runner Hyun Chang Chung about...

A conversation with the journalist who pioneered what became known as ‘adventure sports’, from the peak of Mount Everest to wild ocean sailing

How a Chinese-born Kiwi trail running champion found a way to combine a busy career in engineering with a love of competitive running, and how initial resistance from her traditional Chinese family has changed

Two of Hong Kong’s top female athletes, ultra runner Samantha Chan and crossfit trainer Bobbi Poulton talk about the pressure and pushback. Hear how Instagram has become a toxic influence upon the professionals in the crossfit industry as well as the young women getting involved in gyms and exercise

A self-described school dropout who defied the odds to achieve his dream of summiting Everest explains how his journey to climb Pakistan’s K2 helped him put his life priorities back into perspective.

One of Hong Kong’s most accomplished trail runners talks of her preparations for the 2019 ITSA Trail World Championships, and how the climate and geography of her home have helped her build fitness and stamina.

Once a rockstar of mountain climbing in the 1970s, Simon McCartney discusses the emotional journey that lead him to write the cult classic book ‘The Bond’, and his decision to return to Alaska for a climbing expedition

A French mural artist who discovered a passion and spiritual connection on Hong Kong trails talks about her comeback from injury, and her love of trail running.

The adventurer and coasteering enthusiast talks about the upcoming Adventure Clean Up challenge

From her very first running event to becoming one of Hong Kong’s top trail runners, hear what inspires this remarkable woman to run further and faster.

One of the Hong Kong trail running scene’s most prominent photographers talks about his art and the challenges of keeping up with athletes while laden with camera gear.

Nikki Han talks about her preparation and dedication to becoming the first woman to finish the Hong Kong Four Trail Challenge, how her career as a trail runner has developed and how life has changed since her history-making effort.

Cool yet controversial ultrarunning star Jim Walmsley makes his first visit to Hong Kong, and discusses his victories, greatest failures and how he sets goals.

From Olympics to road marathons to trail running: Magdalena Boulet speaks about her career and her visit to Hong Kong to run the 9 Dragons Ultra trail run

Mark Agnew and Mary Hui speak in depth with a man labelled 'the grandaddy' of Hong Kong trail running. Andre Blumberg has capped off an incredible year, running three huge races. He began by setting the record at the 230km TorTour de Ruhr, then he ran the Hardrock 160km and finished with the 246km Spartathlon. He shares what makes him tick, his passions and motivations as well as the catalyst that started his running career when he was a 110kg party animal. Subscribe and listen via iTunes,…

In this episode Mark Agnew and Mary Hiu interview Hong Kong-based triathlon coach Kate Rutherford, who talks about the struggle to get more women into coaching, the sexist attitudes she is still fighting against and some of the core differences between male and female coaches. Subscribe and listen via iTunes, Spotify and Stitcher.