Contents of eNewsletter

1. Oxfam Trailwalker 2019 route and map
2. OTW 2019 – Public transportation
   1. Paid shuttle bus to Start Point – Pak Tam Chung (limited tickets available at Oxfam Office till 27 Oct)
   2. CP2 (Pak Tam Au) shuttle bus
   3. Closure of carpark at CP3 (Kei Ling Ha) during event
   4. Parking strictly forbidden at Shatin Pass during event
   5. CP6 (Smugglers Ridge Rifle Range): Temporary traffic control
   6. CP8 closure of Tai Mo Shan Road and shuttle bus
   7. Finish Point – Chu Hai College Facilities (no parking and shower facilities), shuttle bus and public transportation
3. Tracking website and new timing system
4. Procedures of Certificate Presentation at Finish Point
5. Be kind to the environment
   1. Remember to bring your own bottle / container / cutlery if you would like to enjoy the drinks and food we will provide during the event
   2. Support our recycling initiatives. Reduce landfill waste.
   3. Take you litter home. (Don’t be the team that gets named on our website!)
   4. Green⁴ Trailwalker

 

1. Oxfam Trailwalker 2019 route and map

The 100 km route starts in Pak Tam Chung at Sai Kung, and covers sections 1 to 9 of the MacLehose Trail, which is about 88 km (M001-M174). Before passing distance post M175, it leaves the MacLehose Trail and follows the Yuen Tsuen Ancient Trail all the way to Tai Tong Barbecue Site. The route then turns left onto the Tai Lam Forest Track and makes its way back to the MacLehose Trail, where it runs from distance post M178 to M193. It then finally passes through Tsing Ying Road and ends at Chu Hai College of Higher Education (Tuen Mun).

Google Map
https://bit.ly/366ahCb

Information about the route from the Oxfam Trailwalker Information Booklet:
Trailwalker Route
http://www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.hk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/OTW2019-Booklet_ENG_Online_P27-P30.pdf

Checkpoints (CPs), New Route Details and Transportation to Finish Point
http://www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.hk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/OTW2019-Booklet_ENG_Online_P31-P38.pdf

Download GPX file
https://bit.ly/35XvFJA
The OTW trail is not identical to the MacLehose Trail:

MacLehose Trail	Oxfam Trailwalker Route
Section 2 M031 – M033	From M031 through Sai Wan beach to M033
Section 8 M153 – M156	From M153 along Tai Mo Shan Road to Route Twisk
Section 10 M174 – M200	Before passing distance post M175, it leaves the MacLehose Trail, turns right and follows the Yuen Tsuen Ancient Trail all the way to Tai Tong Barbecue Site (C6119 to C6124). The route then turns left onto Tai Lam Forest Track and makes its way back to the MacLehose Trail, where it runs from distance post M178 to M193. It then finally passes through Tsing Ying Road (through a small door with metal fencing) and ends at Chu Hai College of Higher Education.

 

2. OTW 2019 – Public transportation

The number of support team members and vehicles have increased in recent years, so we strongly urge support teams to avoid driving to CPs. Instead, support team members are highly encouraged to make use of Oxfam’s shuttle bus service. Please take a look at the information regarding our shuttle service below and share it with your support teams!

Note: Please make sure the bus is going to the correct destination before boarding. Drop-off points include:  Start Point (paid service) / CP2 / CP8 / Finish Point.

 

1. Paid shuttle bus to Start Point – Pak Tam Chung (limited tickets available at Oxfam’s office till 27 Oct)

The morning of the first day of the OTW often sees traffic jams, especially in areas like Hang Hau and Choi Hung. To reduce traffic congestion, Oxfam will have shuttle buses that will bring passengers to the Start Point from five locations: Wan Chai, Mong Kok, Diamond Hill, Tsuen Wan and Sha Tin. Please pay attention to the bus schedule when purchasing tickets and be sure that they match the start time of your team.

 

Fare:        HK$40 / passenger (Infinity Walker user: special price HK$30 / passenger)

– When tickets will be sold: 27 October (first-come, first-served, while stocks last)

– Where to purchase tickets: Oxfam Office (9/F, China United Centre, 28 Marble Road, North Point)

– Opening hours:    25 Oct – 09:00 to 13:00; 14:00 to 18:00

26-27 Oct – 10:00 to 18:00

– Oxfam Email: otwinfo@oxfam.org.hk

Shuttle bus and ticket details:

1. Please purchase your tickets in advance. Since there is a limited number of tickets, they will be sold while stocks last.
2. Tickets will not be sold on the day of the event. Lost tickets will not be reissued.
3. Each ticket only allows one passenger on the shuttle bus. Photocopies or photos of tickets will not be accepted.
4. The bus driver will collect tickets when passengers board the bus.
5. The shuttle bus will depart on time. The bus driver will not wait for latecomers.
6. Please board the bus at the time specified on the ticket. Those who fail to present valid tickets or tickets for the correct time will not be allowed to board.
7. Pick-up points may change according to traffic conditions.
8. Refunds or replacements will not be issued for unused tickets (except for cancellations by the Organiser).
9. Please look out for updates on Oxfam’s website and Facebook
10. In the event of a dispute, Oxfam’s decision will be final.

Download Infinity Walker:
Apple:  https://apps.apple.com/hk/app/infinity-walker/id1458328401…
Android:  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details…

 

 B. CP2 (Pak Tam Au) shuttle bus

CP2 is located in an AFCD restricted area; all vehicles without a Country Park Permit cannot access it. Parking and loading / unloading is also NOT allowed around the CP even for vehicles that have a Country Park Permit.  Support teams can reach CP2 by taking public transport or the free shuttle bus provided by Oxfam. Parking will also be strictly forbidden during this period; passengers and goods will only be allowed to be dropped off or picked up in a designated zone. Support teams are strongly advised NOT to drive to the aforementioned area.

Shuttle bus:

Route: Between the barrier at Pak Tam Chung and CP2 (Pak Tam Au)
12:00 – 22:00, 15 November (every 40 to 60 minutes)

 

C. Closure of carpark at CP3 (Kei Ling Ha) during event

Parking and loading / unloading is NOT allowed around the entrance of CP3. Shui Long Wo carpark (next to CP3) will also be closed from 22:00 on 14 November to 06:00 on 16 November. Vehicles are prohibited from waiting or parking there; vehicles will only be able to drop off passengers or unload goods there. Police will enforce traffic control along Chuk Yeung Road (between Shan Liu and Wong Chuk Yeung) from 13:00 on 15 November to 06:00 on 16 November.

D. Parking strictly forbidden at Shatin Pass during event

Shatin Pass Road is a popular place for support teams to provide materials and encouragement to teams during the event. However, this has created heavy traffic in the area and parking problems, which has affected walkers and could prevent medical staff from accessing the area should an emergency arise.

As such, traffic will be controlled near MacLehose Trail Distance Post M101, and the intersection of Kwun Ping Road and Shatin Pass Road from 15 to 16 November. Parking will also be strictly forbidden during this period; passengers and goods will only be allowed to be dropped off or picked up in a designated zone. Support teams are strongly advised NOT to drive to the aforementioned area.

  

E. CP6 (Smugglers Ridge Rifle Range): Temporary traffic control

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

Public transport to CP6:
Bus No. 72 / 81 – get off at Shek Lei Pui Reservoir on Tai Po Road

 

F. CP8 closure of Tai Mo Shan Road and shuttle bus

Tai Mo Shan Road will be temporarily closed during the OTW. Please note that unauthorised vehicles (except the Organiser’s vehicles), including mountain bikes and taxies, will not be allowed to enter. Since no support team vehicles will be able to access Tai Mo Shan Road (and thus the Rotary Club Car Park), Oxfam will provide a free shuttle running from the Tsuen Wan MTR station to the CP8 support area. Support teams are strongly advised to take public transport to CP8 instead of driving.

Public transport to CP8:

Bus No. 51 – Pass Route Twisk and get off at Tai Mo Shan Country Park

Minibus (green) no. 80 – Get off at Chuen Lung Tsuen, Route Twisk, and walk about 15 minutes to Tai Mo Shan Country Park

 

Shuttle bus details:
Route: Tsuen Wan MTR station (exit B2, Tsuen Fung Centre Shopping Arcade) to CP8
Schedule:       16:00, 15 November – 00:00, 16 November (every 40 minutes)
00:00 – 23:00, 16 November (every 15-20 minutes)

 

G. Finish Point – Chu Hai College Facilities (no parking or shower facilities), shuttle bus and public transportation

We strongly encourage support teams to take public transport to the Finish Point located at 80 Castle Peak Road, Castle Peak Bay, Tuen Mun.

No accommodation or shower facilities will be available at the Finish Point. Participants can use the shower facilities at the Cafeteria Old Beach.

As there is a lack of parking facilities at the Finish Point (Chu Hai College), no parking permit will be issued to teams. Public parking in the area is also limited, so we would strongly encourage everyone to use public transport to travel to the Finish Point to avoid serious traffic congestion. We hope all teams and support teams cooperate so we are able to minimise the inconvenience made to local residents. We appreciate your support and understanding!

Shuttle bus details:

Route: Between Tsuen Wan West MTR station (Hoi Kwai Road Public Transport Interchange) and Finish Point (Chu Hai College)

07:00, 16 November – 07:00, 17 November

 

Public Transport:

Bus From HK Island to Tuen Mun (Citybus): 962, 962B From Kowloon to Tuen Mun (KMB): 52X, 252B, 261B From NT / Lantau to Tuen Mun: (KMB) 53, 61M (MTR bus) K51, K53 (Long Win Bus) A33

Minibus (Green) Ho Pong Street, Tuen Mun < > Cafeteria Beach: 43, 43B, 43S Minibus Station at Tsing Yi MTR Station (Maritime Square) < > Cafeteria Beach: 140M

Minibus (Red) Parkes Street in Jordan < > Tuen Mun & Yuen Long

Taxi Chu Hai College < > Tsuen Wan MTR station (fare: around $140) Chu Hai College < > Tsing Yi MTR station (fare: around $190) Chu Hai College < > Tuen Mun MTR station (fare: around $40)

 

 

3. Tracking website and new timing system

This year’s timing system is different from last year’s. Please read through the details below to ensure your team check-in successfully at all CPs.

 

We have teamed up with SPORTident this year and will be using the contactless SPORTident Active Card (SIAC Card). This will be affixed on participants’ bracelets to keep track of their progress on the trail as well as to ensure their safety. Please be reminded that this must be returned to Oxfam after the event (we reserve the right to not accept future OTW applications from participants who fail to return or reimburse Oxfam for the costs $700 associated with the damage or loss of the equipment).

 

From CP1 to CP9, all four members must report TOGETHER to the Check-in and Information Tent. Working personnel will verify their bibs and bracelets and use a sensor at the Check-in and Information Tent to record participants’ times. A sensor will also be placed at the exit of CPs; the official time on the tracking website will be updated with these times.

 

Timing mats will be located at the Start Point (start area) and Finish Point (finish arch). Please cross the mat to ensure your time is recorded.

 

To ensure the SIAC Card can be sensed by the device accurately and efficiently, participants are required to wear their SIAC Card bracelet during event. Any team with missing time records at any of the CPs will be considered to have not completed the event on the designated course.

Un-removable bracelet for identification purposes	Number bib	SIAC Card (will be attached to bracelet)

 

Check-in / out and time record

As the OTW is a team event, all members of a team MUST report TOGETHER to the Check-in and Information Tent along the trail:

When entering a CP All members report to the Check-in and Information Tent TOGETHER
Check-in and Information Tent	Number bib, bracelet with SIAC Card
Working personnel will verify the bib and bracelet, and a sensor will record participants’ times, which will be posted on the tracking website

Start Point (start area), Control Point and Finish Point (finish arch)

Timing Mat

The timing device will detect the SIAC automatically and the web tracking’s Official Time will be updated

Online Tracking Website

Online Tracking Website (http://otwtracking.oxfamtrailwalker.org.hk/) will be activated at 07:00 on 15 November.

Timing system will update teams’ official times, rankings and status while participants check-in / out.

Please pay special attention to the following:

1. All members must report to the Check-in and Information Tent TOGETHER. Bibs and bracelets must be visible at all times during event.
2. When passing the timing device, the SIAC Card will beep and flash, meaning the SIAC Card has been successfully detected.
3. Please DO NOT wear a GPS watch and on the same arm as the SIAC Card.
4. Please report to Oxfam’s working personnel if the SIAC Card has been lost or damaged, and obtain a new one at the next CP.

 

4. Procedures of Certificate Presentation at Finish Point

The Finish Certificate is a great encouragement for all participants who complete the 100 km. We have revised the procedures of Certificate Presentation to make the process more efficient so that teams can return home and rest or celebrate with support teams as early as possible.

 

Procedures:

• Please register at the Check-in and Information Tent next to the Finish Arch once you have passed the timing mat.
• Thirty minutes after registration, please go to the Certificate Counter inside the Finish Hall to collect your certificate.
  1. If your team does not need to receive the certificate in the ceremony area: Either leave the Finish Point immediately or queue up to have your picture taken at our photo booth.
  2. If your team wants to receive the certificate in ceremony area: Register with our staff/volunteers at the counter.
     1. Go to the ceremony area to have your certificate presented to you.
     2. Leave the Finish Point immediately or queue up for the photo booth.

 

5. Be kind to the environment

We believe you, being lovers of the great outdoors, will support our call to protect the environment together with your support team, family and friends. Here are a few ways to go green during your practice sessions and the event:

A. Remember to bring your own bottle / container and cutlery if you would like to enjoy the drinks and food we will provide during the event

–      Disposable cups will not be provided. Participants are highly encouraged to bring their own bottles / cups / containers and cutlery to enjoy the drinks and food we will provide. Alternatively, participants can purchase the OTW stainless steel cup from our Merchandise Booth at the Start Point.

–      Clean your containers at nearest washroom or other places; please do not use water from the water dispensers.

–      To reduce plastic waste, we will only provide bottled water for participants at CP1 (Sai Wan). Water dispensers will be available at the Start Point, Finish Point and other CPs. Please make sure you have a bottle / container that you can use along the trail.

 

B. Support our recycling initiatives. Reduce landfill waste.

A recycling station will be set up at each CP to collect empty plastic bottles and aluminium cans except CP1 and CP5 (only pear cores will be collected at CP5). Green ambassadors will be stationed at designated CPs to facilitate clean recycling. Please empty your containers before recycling them and do not put other waste into these recycling bins. Furthermore, we have added a recycling station at No. 6 BBQ site, Shing Mun Reservoir, this year as well.

 

C. Take your litter home. (Don’t be the team that gets named on our website!)

Energy food and bars will be distributed. Our working personnel will mark each team’s number on all food packaging and water bottles we provide. If cleaning workers or our working personnel find these items discarded on the trail, the team’s number and its member’s names will be posted on the OTW website. Please take care of your belongings (including your litter)!

D. Green⁴ Trailwalker

Teams are encouraged to take at least four of nine green actions during the event to help the environment. After doing this and documenting these actions, the Green⁴ Trailwalker monogram will be stamped on your Finish Certificate, and your team name will be published on the OTW website. Want to join? Click here to submit your team number and link to your personal / team’s Facebook page / Instagram account!

 

Google Form: https://forms.gle/5zyhfaKw819ov9g16

 

Nine green actions:

(Choose any four of the following actions to become a Green⁴ Trailwalker:)

 

1. Bring your own cup / container for hot drinks and soup
2. Bring your own cutlery
3. Take your empty bottles / cans to our recycle bins
4. Take litter on the trail back to CPs
5. Be a green support team – do not use single-use plastic
6. Bring bottles from CP1 (Sai Wan) to CP2 (Pak Tam Au) for recycling
7. Do not waste food – plan what you will eat in advance and take anything extra home
8. Take public transport instead of driving to reduce your carbon footprint
9. Eat more vegetables than meat during the OTW