19 Sep 2019

Oxfam Trailwalker 2019 – eNewsletter – 1st issue

Content of eNewsletter

  1. Briefing session
  2. Oxfam Trailwalker 2019 route and map
    1. Registration and Start Time at Start Point
    2. Paid shuttle bus to Start Point – Pak Tam Chung
    3. Penalty Points
    4. New timing system
  1. Useful links

 

Briefing session

The English briefing session took place on 17 August. Five speakers briefed attendees about the event, and gave eco-friendly and survival tips. All information can be downloaded from the Oxfam Trailwalker (OTW) website.

🔸 Green Trailwalker 2019 (Executive Director of The Green Earth — Edwin Lau)

🔸 Important things to note (Fundraising Manager – Events — Brenda Wong)

🔸 Medical tips & pre-participation examination (OTW Medical Command – Associate Consultant, Accident & Emergency Department Queen Elizabeth Hospital — Dr. Kenneth Wu)

🔸 Sharing Experience and role of support teams (Experienced Super Trailwalker — John Ariwi)

🔸Physiotherapist’s tips (Sports Specialty Group – Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association — Willis Chan)

 

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 was 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://drive.google.com/open?id=1kdopZ_3ziE3beT71gNaTtv7N7mw0-V4K&usp=sharing

Download information about the route from the Oxfam Trailwalker Information Booklet:

OTW Route: http://www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.hk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/OTW2019-Booklet_ENG_Online_P27-P30.pdf
Checkpoints, Revised Route (CP9 to FP) and Transportation to the Finish Point: http://www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.hk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/OTW2019-Booklet_ENG_Online_P31-P38.pdf

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 and ends at Chu Hai College of Higher Education.

 

i. Registration and Start Time at Start Point

A total of 1,300 teams have joined the event this year, in order to ensure that the event runs smoothly, there will be five start times as per the table below.

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

Date:          Friday, 15 November 2019

Team Number Registration Time Start Time
8001-8180 (Elite Team)* 07:00 – 07:45 08:00
0001-0300 07:30 – 09:00 09:30
0301-0580 09:00 – 10:30 11:00
0581-0850 11:00 – 12:00 12:30
0851-1120 12:30 – 13:30 14:00

All teams MUST start at the designated times listed above according to their respective team numbers 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 of the Organiser.

*Elite Teams MUST collect their number bibs between 11 and 12 November at our office. More information will be sent to teams later.

 

ii. Paid shuttle bus to Start Point – Pak Tam Chung

To reduce traffic, there will be a paid shuttle bus service to the Start Point (Pak Tam Chung) on the first day of the OTW. There will be five pick-up points (details below): Wan Chai, Mong Kok, Diamond Hill, Tsuen Wan, Shatin

 

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

  • When tickets will be sold: from now to 12 October (first-come, first-served, while stocks last)
  • Where to purchase tickets: Oxfam Shop (LG8, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong)
  • Oxfam Shop’s opening hours: Mon to Fri, 10:30 am to 6:30 pm; Sat, 10:30 am to 4:30 pm (Closed on Sundays and public holidays)
  • Oxfam Shop’s tel.: 2522 1765

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…

bus schedule

 

iii. Penalty Points

Two Penalty Points with timing devices will be set up this year again near Distance Post M099 and M175.

Penalty Point 4p
Nearest Checkpoint (CP) CP4 and CP5
Location Tiu Tso Ngam near Kwun Ping Road
Distance Post M099

 

Penalty Point 9p
Nearest Checkpoint (CP) CP9 and Finish Point
Location Passed CP9 and entrance of Yuen Tsuen Ancient Trail
Distance Post M175

If any members of a team have a timing record at the Penalty Point, the members will be deemed to have taken a shortcut, and 120 minutes will be added to the team’s finishing time; 240 minutes will be added to the team’s finishing time if they have records at both Penalty Points.

PenaltyPointCP4pEng

PenaltyPointCP9pEng

 

iv. New timing system

The OTW will use a new timing system, SPORTident, this year. The device – an SIAC card – will be distributed to all participants. It will be used during the event to keep track of participant’s times at checkpoints and should be returned to the Organiser at the Finish Point.

SIAC card: timing device
SportidentSIAC

All participants must wear the SIAC card during the event. If participants would like to withdraw from the OTW while on the trail, they must return the SIAC card to working personnel at checkpoints or passed to their team members, who will then need to pass it to OHK’s staff at the nearest checkpoint. A drop-out certificate will then be issued.
Participants will need to pay HK$700 for each SIAC card if they are lost or damaged.
Please note: Participants’ SIAC cards will beep and flash when they pass through checkpoints or when the card touches the Timing Station and data is successfully saved. Participants should pay attention to this.

 Inside Checkpoints – Timing Station at Check-In Tent

 SportidentStation Participants must complete the procedures at the Check-in Tents at Checkpoints and follow the instructions of OHK’s working personnel to record their arrival time.

 

Timing devices at the Start Point, Finish Point, and checkpoint exits

 SportidentPanel Timing mats will be set up at the Start Point and the Finish Point. Timing Stations (AIR+ mode) will be set up at checkpoint exits.

Participants must pass all of the devices above to record their times.

 

 

Special Notes:

 SportidentSIACwarning Please DO NOT wear a GPS watch and SIAC card together on the same arm. Some GPS watches can significantly reduce the sensitivity of SIAC cards and this may affect participants’ timing records.

 

Useful links

Here are some useful links in case any questions about the OTW arise while training or preparing for the OTW over the next two months:

– Useful documents on the OTW website:
http://www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.hk/useful-documents/

– Sponsorship Form:
http://www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.hk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/OTW2019-Oxfam-Sponsorship-Form.pdf

– Sponsorship Form Cover:
http://www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.hk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/OTW2019-Oxfam-Sponsorship-Form-Cover.pdf

– Information Booklet:

Checkpoints (CPs), details about the new route and transportation to the Finish Point
http://www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.hk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/OTW2019-Booklet_ENG_Online_P31-P38.pdf