9 November 2015

Dear Team Leader/ Coordinator,

Oxfam Trailwalker 2015 – IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Are you all geared up for the Oxfam Trailwalker 2015?  To help you prepare better for the event, some important reminders are listed in the following.  Please study carefully and pay special attention to Team Particulars (Pt. 1), Registration at Start Point (Pt. 2), The Official Route (Pt. 3.2) and Temporary Traffic Arrangement (Pt. 3.4).  Do share the information with your teammates and support team members.

1.Team Particulars

The Online Registration Period was closed on 28 October (i.e. teams can no longer update particulars online). Enclosed please find the particulars of your team.  Please check them carefully. Finishing certificates will be printed with the team name and English  name  in accordance with the particulars.  If you have any amendments, please notify us either through email (otwinfo@oxfam.org.hk) or by fax (2527 6213) not later than 17 November.  If your team wishes to change member, please pay the fee of HK$200 per member changed, fill in the Change of Member Form and submit them to Oxfam Hong Kong by 17 November. For details, please refer to Oxfam Trailwalker website. (www.oxfamtrailalker.otg.hk > Info for Walkers > Rules And Regulations > Change of Team Members)

 

2.Registration at Start Point

Place:   Po Leung Kuk Pak Tam Chung Holiday Camp, Sai Kung

Date:    Friday, 20 November 2015

Team Number	Registration Time	Starting Time
S01-S70 (Oxfam Super Trailwalker)*	07:00 – 08:00	08:30
5001-5060 (24-hour Teams)*
0001-0350	07:30 – 09:00	09:30
0351-0630	09:30 – 10:30	11:00
0631-0900	11:00 – 12:00	12:30
0901-1170	12:30 – 13:30	14:00

*Super and 24-hour teams will collect Walkers’ Bag at Oxfam office on 16-18 Nov and will be informed separately

All teams MUST start at the designated times listed above according to their team number and register at the Start Point at least 30-45 minutes before starting. No team is allowed to change its registration and start time without the prior approval from Oxfam Hong Kong.

 

3.Start Point, Route, Checkpoints (CPs) and Finish Point

3.1  Start Point

– Enclosed please find a “Disclaimer/Indemnity”.  Please fill it out and have it signed (the sequence of the 4 members A, B, C, D, must correspond with that being registered) by all members in advance and hand it in at the Registration Counter at the Start.

– If a team member is changed on event day, please fill in the Change of Team Member Form in advance and submit it together with the fee of HK$300 in cash on site. (Not applicable to Super Trailwalker and 24-hour teams who are allowed to make changes on-site)  The Change of Team Member Form can be downloaded at website (www.oxfamtrailalker.otg.hk > Interactive Zone > Download).

–  Before leaving the Registration Hall, please ensure that your barcode has been scanned and then check on the computer screen that your walker number is being shown. Walkers without their barcode scanned will be treated as non-starter.

– For the sake of facilitating rescue search (if needed), all teams MUST take a team photo before start.

– Please bring your own water container as no bottled water will be distributed at the Start. Drinking water will only be available from water dispensers at Start, CP2-CP9, Water Points and the Finish.

 

3.2   Official Route – Special Attention!!!

The 100-kilometre route first covers sections 1 to 9 of the MacLehose Trail, which is about 87 kilometres (M001 – M174). After passing distance post M174 and leaving CP9, the route will diverge off of the MacLehose Trail and, for the next five kilometres, run along the north coast of Tai Lam Chung Reservoir, down the paved road next to the water catchment. The trail will then turn right towards Wong Nai Tun / Tai Tong and head towards the Finish Point at the Po Leung Kuk Jockey Club Tai Tong Holiday Camp in Yuen Long (OTW175 – OTW198 and countdown markers).

ATTENTION!

Please note the following differences between the Oxfam Trailwalker trail and MacLehose Trail:

MacLehose Trail	Section 2	Section 8	Section 10
Oxfam Trailwalker Route	From M031 across Sai Wan beach to M033	From M153 along Tai Mo Shan Road to Route Twisk	From OTW175 to OTW198, onto where the countdown sign is at the Finish Point campsite (Turn left towards Kat Hing Bridge after registering at CP9, then walk along Tai Lam Chung Reservoir)

Participants should stay on the marked course. Shortcuts are strictly prohibited. The organiser might carry out spot checks. The organiser may decide not to record the result and ranking of teams whose members  are found to have taken shortcuts. 

 

3.3   Checkpoints

–  Physiotherapists, podiatrists and the Chinese Medicine Tui-Na (massage) members will station at CP4 , CP8 or Finish Point and the service hours are listed below:

	CP 4	CP 8	Finish Point
Chinese Medicine Tui-Na	22:30, 20 Nov – 08:30, 21 Nov	N/A	09:00 – 21:00, 21 Nov
Physiotherapy	23:30, 20 Nov – 14:30, 21 Nov	08:00, 21 Nov – 07:00, 22 Nov	N/A
Podiatry	N/A	15:30 – 23:00, 21 Nov	N/A

 

–  The following refreshment and water will be provided at the Start, Checkpoints and the Finish.

Location

Water (in dispenser)

Hot Drink*

Soup / Cereal#

Bread

Cup Noodle

Banana

Pear

Chinese Soup & Siu Mai **

Udon & Japanese Rice ball***

800ml Bottled Water

Tri-go Bar

Energy Gel

Pocari sweat (in dispenser)

Start Point

O

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

8 packs

4 packs

–

CP1

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

O

–

–

–

CP2

O

O

O

O

–

O

–

–

–

–

–

–

O

CP3

O

O

O

O

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

CP4

O

O

O

O

–

–

–

O

–

–

–

–

CP5

O

–

–

–

–

–

O

–

–

–

–

–

–

CP6

O

O

O

O

–

–

–

O

–

–

–

–

CP7

O

O

O

O

O

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

CP8

O

O

O

O

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

CP9

O

O

O

O

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

End of the High Island Reservoir East Dam

O

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

O

Near the helipad at the foot of Needle Hill

O

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

O

Finish Point

O

O

O

O

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

* Hot drinks include instant coffee, milk tea, ovaltine, ginger tea and tea.

# Soup flavors include tomato, mushroom and potatoes.

** Chinese Soup & Siu Mai – served during 2100 on 20 Nov to 0600 on 21 Nov while stock lasts.

*** Udon and Japanese Rice ball – served during 1900 on 20 Nov to 1600 on 21 Nov while stock lasts.

– The food provided at CPs serves only as a supplement.  Walkers and support teams should prepare sufficient and suitable food for themselves.

– Café De Coral will be operating a snack kiosk from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm on 21 November (Saturday), you can pay by cash or octopus card.  All the proceeds will be donated to Oxfam Hong Kong.

– All teams must arrive at a CP and register at or before its closing time.  Please refer to pages 29-32 of the Information Booklet for the closing time of each CP.

 

3.4          Temporary Traffic Arrangement

During the event, temporary traffic control will be implemented at CP2, 3, 6, 8 and Finish Point. Details are as follow:

NEW arrangement – Finish Point Parking Permit Application In order to help police enforce the traffic control at Tai Tong Shan Road, the Finish Point Parking Permit will ONLY be available on request. If you have not yet requested for one, please arrange a representative to pick up the permit at Oxfam Office. Each Oxfam Trailwalker support team is eligible to apply for ONE Finish Point Parking Permit, which is valid for a single entry to the PLK Jockey Club Tai Tong Holiday Camp. The parking permit is valid for private car / light goods vehicle ONLY.

Checkpoint 2

Checkpoint 2 is located in AFCD restricted area. All vehicles without a Country Park Permit cannot access. Loading/ Unloading/ Parking is also NOT allowed within 200m around the Checkpoint even for vehicles carrying Country Park Permit.  Support teams can arrive there by public transport or free shuttle bus provided by Oxfam.

 

Checkpoint 3

Loading/ Unloading/ Parking is NOT allowed around the entrance (within 150m on Sai Sha Road) of the Checkpoint 3. There is a parking area on Sai Sha Road but parking spaces are limited.  Police will enforce traffic control along Chuk Yeung Road (between Shan Liu and Wong Chuk Yeung) from 1300 on 20 Nov to 0600 on 21 Nov where support team vehicles cannot access.

 

Checkpoint 6

Golden Hill Road (Kam Shan Road) will be temporarily closed during Oxfam Trailwalker event.  Please note that unauthorized vehicles (except organiser’s vehicles), including mountain bikes, are not allowed to enter the Road.  Support Teams are strongly advised to take public transport to CP6 instead of driving.

 

Checkpoint 8

Tai Mo Shan Road will be temporarily closed during Oxfam Trailwalker event.  Please note that unauthorized vehicles (except organiser’s vehicles), including mountain bikes and taxies, are not allowed to enter the Road.  As no support team vehicles can now access Tai Mo Shan Road (thus the Rotary Club Car Park), Oxfam will provide free shuttle bus commuting between Tsuen Wan MTR Station and CP8 support area.  Support Teams are strongly advised to take public transport to CP8 instead of driving.

 

We appeal to all participants to be careful of vehicles when crossing the roads. Don’t lie down / sit along the road side. Please also inform your support team to comply with the above traffic arrangements and try to use public transport and free shuttle bus services as much as possible. If your support teams have to drive to the support area, please beware of the pedestrians, be courteous and patient. Illegal Parking is forbidden and offenders might be prosecuted and the vehicle might be towed away! Thank you for helping us enhance the safety of the event!

 

4.Free Shuttle Bus Service

Route	Service Hours
Between the barrier at Pak Tam Chung and CP2 (Pak Tam Au)	12:00 – 22:00, 20 Nov (every 40 to 60 minutes)
Between the Tsuen Wan MTR Station  and CP8	23:00, 20 Nov – 23:00, 21 Nov (every 15-20 minutes)
Between the Yoho Mall  Bus Terminus and Finish Point	07:00, 21 Nov – 14:30, 22 Nov (every 15 minutes)

*Support teams are welcome to take the circular Shuttle Bus.  Before boarding, please double check the destination of the bus is Oxfam Trailwalker CP 2 / CP 8 / Finish Point. The location map is available on Oxfam Trailwalker website. (www.oxfamtrailalker.org.hk > Interactive Zone > Download > Others

 

5.Safety Measures

5.1 Always Walk as a Team

Hostility and disputes are very common between teammates when people are exhausted.  Always remember: crossing the finishing line as a complete team should be your ultimate goal! This is achievable with lots of patience and mutual understanding amongst team members. All team members must stay together between CPs, andcheck in together at each CP. CP staff reserves the right to refuse to register incomplete teams or teams with members unaccounted for.

 

5.2 Injury

Any member who is injured must be brought to the nearest CP by teammates for assistance. If s/he cannot move, please call the emergency phone number (2755 1577)printed on your bracelet to inform the organiser. Teammates must accompany the injured person before the rescue team arrives at the location. In any circumstances, no individuals shall be left unattended.

 

5.3 Withdrawal from the Event

If a withdrawal is made at any CP, a Drop Out Certificate will be issued by checkpoint staff. The continuing members of the team will have to show it as a proof of the teammate’s status. If there are more members quitting subsequently, checkpoint staff will write their names on the same certificate.  Please keep this certificate safely and return it to the organiser at the Finish.

If a walker quits the event between CPs, s/he must first call the emergency phone number (2755 1577) to inform the Organiser. S/he must also pass the bracelet to the continuing teammates for the completion of the drop out procedures at the next CP. Your cooperation will help keep our rescue teams free to attend to genuine emergency cases.  Great thanks!

Once a team has more than two members quitted, the continuing walker(s) must join another team in order to enhance their safety.  CP staff will only check in teams of at least three members.

 

5.4 Beware of Changing Weather

The weather can change quickly and the temperature will vary from day and night in November. Walkers should always bring along a windbreaker and a raincoat.  If it becomes very hot with high humidity, you should drink more water with an appropriate intake of salt to prevent Hyponatremia.  When there is thunderstorm, stay away from metal objects (e.g. hiking poles) and switch off mobile phones. We will email you an e-newsletter informing latest weather forecast two days before the event.

 

5.5 Protect your Barcode Bracelet

Please be careful not to fold or spray insect repellent or rub sun cream onto your bracelet. A damaged bracelet may delay you at CPs. Walkers will be recorded as having quitted the event if their bracelet is found being cut off.

 

5.6 Useful Telephone Numbers

Emergency	2755 1577
Information Desk at Start Point	2363 3922 (from 07:00 to 14:00, 20 Nov)
Information Desk at Finish Point	2755 6200 (from 18:30, 20 Nov to 14:00, 22 Nov)

 

6.Note to Support Teams

We would like to remind support team members accompanying walkers along the trail to avoid blocking other participating teams on the trail and give way to other teams when appropriate. For the sake of fairness, support teams are not allowed to provide any physical assistance to participants, such as pushing the participants forward to help their acceleration. Please refer to pages 46-51 of the Information Booklet for details.

Oxfam Trailwalker will pass through numerous local villages. Please note to your team members and supporters to respect the livelihood of villagers, as to minimize the disturbance to countryside.

 

7.Prizes and Encouragements

7.1 AIA Vitality Dare to Challenge Award

Launched by the Principal Sponsor AIA, this new award has received 19 applications from teams joining Oxfam Trailwalker for the first time. They are ready to demonstrate the highest level of motivation and determination to complete the course. For details, please refer to Oxfam Trailwalker website.

 

7.2 State Street Overcoming the Odds Award

Presented by Major Sponsor State Street Corporation, the Overcoming the Odds Award will also be awarded this year to an individual who has overcome many obstacles and difficulties to complete the 100km walk. For details, please refer to Oxfam Trailwalker website.

 

7.3 Special Prizes

7.3.1 Fundraising Prizes

Any team which has raised HK$32,000 or above by 22 December is eligible to enter a lucky draw to win either one of the below prizes.

1. Asia Miles mileages:Asia Miles Limited, one of the Logistics Sponsors, has donated a total of 800,000 Asia Miles to be awarded to 10 teams (80,000 Asia Miles per team).
2. DCH Food Mart coupons:Dah Chong Hong Holdings Limited has donated DCH Food Mart coupons valued at HK$60,000 to be awarded to another 15 teams (coupons valued at $4,000 per team).

The awarded prize will be evenly shared by the four registered members of each winning team. The right to enter the lucky draw will be forfeited if the team cannot submit all proofs of donations to Oxfam Hong Kong on or before 22 December (dated according to the postmark). Late submissions, including those who have banked in the sponsorship money or cheques on or before 22 December 2015 but have not sent the donation proofs to Oxfam Hong Kong by 22 December, will not be considered for the lucky draw.

 

7.3.2 Prizes for the Fastest Teams

20 stylish SEIKO watches will be awarded to the fastest teams (finishing in full team) of    the MALE, FEMALE, MIXED and VETERAN I and II categories. The watches are sponsored by Thong Sia Watch Co., Ltd. All the awards will be presented in the Prize Presentation ceremony to be held around February 2016. 

 

7.4 Teams Raising over HK$32,000

Teams raising HK$32,000 or above in Oxfam Trailwalker 2015 will take priority in registering for Oxfam Trailwalker 2016.

 

7.5 Teams Raising HK$70,000 or above

Teams raising HK$70,000 or above will be acknowledged in the Oxfam Trailwalker 2015 Acknowledgement Advertisement.

 

7.6  Teams Raising  HK$100,000    or above

Teams raising over HK$100,000 will receive an “Oxfam Trailwalker Outstanding Fundraiser Award”.

 

7.7 Teams Raising HK$200,000 or above

If teams raising HK$200,000 or above require an Oxfam representative at a celebration or other functions, please call 2520 2525 or email us at otwinfo@oxfam.org.hk.

 

7.8 Verification for the Awards

Oxfam Hong Kong reserves the right to request all winning teams in the Speed Award and Fundraising Award categories to provide documentation (such as staff cards, corporate sponsorship letters, relevant identification etc.), to prove that at least TWO of the team members are eligible for the category the team has won. Any team failing to do so will be disqualified for the award. The list of awardees will be announced in Oxfam Trailwalker Website in February 2016.

 

8.Oxfam Trailwalker Website www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.hk

8.1 Fundraising Team Page

Each team can create a Fundraising Team Page on the Oxfam Trailwalker website: www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.hk. We recommend using Internet Explorer 7 – 9 or Firefox 3.5 or above to process online donation. (Using other versions or other browsers may cause system malfunction or information lost.) Your family and friends can donate online and leave encouraging messages to your team. It is easy to use and greatly reduces our administration costs. Your sponsor can also choose to print out a tax-deductible receipt* immediately. So there is no need to record donations on sponsorship forms and send them back! (* For Hong Kong tax payers only)

 

8.2 Live Web Tracking

The web tracking system will be activated at 15:00 on 20 November provided that the weather is favorable and the network along the trail is functioning well. Web users will then be able to track all teams along the 9 checkpoints and the ranking for the fastest 10 teams. Please advise your supporters to log on to check for the latest update. However, do bear with us should the system not function due to factors such as network failure (we use 56k line along the trail!)

 

9.Minimum Sponsorship

All teams (including those teams which are absent/withdraw on the event day) must raise a minimum sponsorship of HK$7,200, except for Pledge Teams which must raise at least HK$70,000. Registered teams wishing to withdraw from the event must give written notice to Oxfam Hong Kong as soon as possible. Teams withdrawing from the event please note the following:

Withdraw with written notice after 27 August	HK$2,000 minimum sponsorship
Withdraw without written notice/Absent or withdraw on the event day	HK$7,200 minimum sponsorship

Oxfam Hong Kong reserves the right not to accept applications for future Oxfam Trailwalker events from any member of a team which has failed to comply with the above stipulations.

 

10.Timing System Trial

Oxfam Trailwalker will upgrade to a new timing system next year. A system trial will be implemented in Oxfam Trailwalker 2015 at Start Point, Checkpoint 3, Checkpoint 6 and Finish Point. Several teams starting at 08:30 and 14:00 will be involved in this trial, as to complete the event with an extra timing sensor along the 100km route. Please kindly cope with the operations and procedures to improve Oxfam Trailwalker.

 

11.Promotional Activities

Media interviews and coverage on Oxfam Trailwalkers could be found in various newspapers and magazines! Watch out for Oxfam Trailwalker posters at MTR stations and bus shelters, and the event video will be displayed on Video wall on street. Promos and interview segments on Oxfam Trailwalker will be broadcasted on Commercial Radio (FM 88.1 and FM 90.3), Facebook and WeChat as well.  Please go to Oxfam Trailwalker website to check out the upcoming promotional activities.

 

12.Oxfam Trailwalker Souvenirs  

           Souvenirs including Quick Dry T-shirt, Towel, headband, breathable cap, headwear, multi Function Knife, athletic sleeve and pin will be available for sale at the Start and the Finish. For details, please visit our website. (www.oxfamtrailalker.otg.hk > Support Oxfam > Souvenirs)

 

13.Be Kind to the Environment

All participants are reminded not to litter along the trail. If the cleaning workers/ volunteers find marked energy food packaging and water bottle on the trail, the team number and members’ names will be posted on the Oxfam Trailwalker website.

Meanwhile, Oxfam also enforces the recycling facilities at checkpoints. Please kindly help us to clean those unwanted plastic bottles and aluminum tins, and put into recycle bag.

 

14.Bad Weather Arrangement

The event will be cancelled if typhoon signal No. 8 or black rainstorm signal is being hoisted on 20 November. In the event of typhoon signal No. 3 or other unexpected events, Oxfam will make a decision depending on the circumstances.  Announcements will be made on the radio and on the Oxfam Trailwalker website from 05:00 on 20 November onwards.  We will also inform all team leaders by SMS. Please keep your mobile on.

Should you have any questions, please call us at 2520 2525 or email otwinfo@oxfam.org.hk.  Please quote your team number when making enquiries.

We look forward to meeting you at the Start and welcoming you back at the Finish!

 

Best regards,

Oxfam Hong Kong