LMX-KMX RACE

The Race

The weekend was shaping up to be a complete scorcher, not ideal for a demanding trail-race, and despite the late start, due to a puncture on a support vehicle, all the racers left Hemingway's in DB Resort in high spirits. Watching the group of racers leave DB, with their fully stocked bags, hats, sunglasses and trekking poles was a fantastic sight.

Despite the hot, humid conditions competitors stormed their way to the first check-point in Pui O. Team North Face were first in at 12:01, closely followed by Nick Marett, just five minutes behind.

As more competitors passed through CP-1, the energy of the race began to take shape as each team began to prepare themselves both mentally and physically for the twenty plus kilometres that still lay ahead to the camp.

By CP-2, Team North Face were shocked to hear that they were the second team in, as a wrong turn by Nick Marret had put him into the lead. (Nick would later be penalised for this)

After CP-2 the race passed over Lantau Peak, in windless, oven-like conditions. Not surprisingly, this took its toll on some of the racers, and with no-shame a few competitors retired.

As evening drew closer it was mainly downhill to CP-3, and then on to the campsite, situated in a remote area of southern Lantau. With machine-like power, Team North Face were the first to arrive at the campsite.  As night fell, more racers began to drift into the camp, and with the unfortunate failure of the camp's power generator, the camp was no longer a bright beacon in the night, but a dimly lit haven with a comforting promise of food and rest. A noted late arrival to camp was Blair Turnbull, who had been hot on the heels of the men's race leader Nick Marret, but made a costly mistake, which sent him off in the direction of Tai O and not the campsite.

After the punishing conditions of the first day, it was decided that the gnarly "Dog's Tooth Ridge" would have to be cut on day two. Even with the ridge cut, the next day's racing was still a daunting prospect.

DB just before dark.

Blair's effort to pull back lost time, was just not enough and the Men's category was won by Nick Marret, with just ten minutes to spare (taking into account the 30 minutes penalty incurred for route
errors).

Overall, the race was a fantastic success despite the setbacks, but after all, this is adventure racing at its extreme.
Competitors awoke at first light and set off in high spirits at 6:40am for a full day of adventure. The spectacular sunrise over the mountains was noted by competitors, as they powered towards trails little walked by regular hikers and runners.

The first major challenge of the day was the broken path up to Ngong-ping, dubbed "Hornet Hill" by the recce team, after one of them was stung on a previous visit. Little were we to know, that this wasn't a one off occurrence, but an omen for things to come. As the lead teams moved through the brush, things were becoming agitated in the insect world. By the time the main group moved up the hill, the hornets were in a mean mood, unleashing attacks upon a number of racers. Not surprisingly, after 60 kilometres of tough trails in the unrelenting heat, having to endure a hornet attack was too much and more competitors retired at Ngong Ping.

 

Meanwhile, Kelly Throne and Heather Draper were powering after Nick Marett and Blair Turnbull who were locked in a head-to-head race to the finish. With valuable time lost the previous day, Blair was also racing the clock. By early afternoon, Blair had a one-hour lead on Nick, but would it be enough to make up for the time lost?

In a stunning, overall time of 13hrs:55mins, Team North Face were the winners of the in-augural LMX Race and have set a challenge for future racers in the series.

The Women's race was won by the dynamic duo of Kelly and Heather, who arrived at DB just before dusk.

Coming in the future, we will be organizing The KMX, or Kowloon Mountain Express in March 2008, and we will endeavour to strike a balance between taking you on tracks that are less trodden, but also making it a little bit easier than this first race.

The course will run from the Mai Po marshes, across the New Territories to the Clear Water Bay Peninsula. We will be opening the race entry very soon, so look out for it.


Finally we'd like to say a big thank you to our sponsors,
Hemingway's By the Bay
DB Resort
RC Outfitters
Bonaqua
Uncle Russ's Coffee

And all the staff who worked incredibly hard to make the event happen

See you on The KMX!