Lantau 70: it's anybody's race, or is it?

The classic Lantau 70 race in Hong Kong is on again this Saturday. After a heavy HK season, including the ATM Championship Final just a month ago, several of the city’s trail stars are taking a break from Lantau this season, but there’s a long list of competitive trail runners who are very keen to rise to the occasion. Wai Hei Ng might be the one to get most votes if people were to bet on the men’s race winner, but Wai Hei Ng has become a bit enigmatic: will he indeed take the start?

Kose Rodarte won the 50km race at 9 Dragons and could score his second race win under ATM in just a month’s time. What can Alessandro Sherpa do this weekend? So far, Lantau 70 has been a challenging race for him over the years, also due to the often surprising humidity levels. Belgium’s Marc Decamps has been in the top five of this race before, can he climb a bit higher on the ladder now? Others who may have a say in the proceedings at the front can be Dina Bagale and Singapore’s fast road runner Vincent Casanova. The latter may have the fastest legs of all, but how much will the technical sections and the elevation slow him down?

Lantau 70 is also a Grandmaster Quest race, and on the start list is Golden Grandmaster Mario Yap, who has already embarked on the Trail to Immortality. Mario has already even collected 150 points in two countries. Remember, to Become Legend, 500 points and five countries are required. Kenneth Mun Keat Yow so far has 180 points in two countries.

The women’s race at Lantau 70 could potentially develop into a battle between two former 9 Dragons 50/50 winners, Angie Yan (2024) and Kanako Edamoto (2025), and last year’s race winner and local Lantau hero Katrina Hamlin. Even Naomi Fung, winner of the 50k at 9 Dragons a couple of years ago, may have a few words to chip in here. Also Kimmy Leung can claim another top five spot for sure.

The race starts as always at 8:30 am local time.