On January 24th, before the official start of the Hong Kong 100km Ultramarathon, Pathfinder held an HK100 departure ceremony in Beijing. The Flying Team will wear Pathfinder’s new 2018 "Big Red Pao" shoes and make another bold bid for the Little Golden Man.
The Hong Kong 100km Ultramarathon (abbreviated as HK100), which began in 2011, starts at Pak Tam Chung on the Sai Kung Peninsula. The entire course primarily follows the MacLehose Trail, with the final stretch descending from Tai Mo Shan, the Roof of Hong Kong. The cumulative elevation gain over the course exceeds 4,500 meters, and participants must complete the race within 30 hours. As a qualifier for the UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc), the HK100 holds a prestigious position in the world of trail running. Each year, top global trail runners come to challenge the HK100, but the most iconic prize remains the “Little Golden Man” trophy — the highest honor awarded to those who finish within 16 hours.
In early 2017, the Pathfinder Flying Team competed against runners from around the world in the HK100, ultimately securing 4 golds and 1 silver. Among them, Xiang Fuzhao achieved an outstanding 4th place in the women’s division with a time of exactly 13 hours.
▲ Pathfinder Group Chairman and President Wang Jing poses with the Flying Team
On January 27th, the Flying Team will take on the HK100 once again. Chairman and President Wang Jing sent her best wishes to the team, hoping they achieve great results wearing the “Big Red Pao” shoes.
The Pathfinder Flying Team is a squad we initiated, composed of multiple elite outdoor and trail runners. Upholding the brand philosophy of the “Brave Heart,” they continuously pursue challenges and breakthroughs, collaborate with the brand to create ultimate trail-running products, and promote the spirit and lifestyle of trail sports. Team members come from all over China, mostly born in the 1980s and 1990s. Those participating in the HK100 this time include Zhang Zhenlong, Xiang Fuzhao, Yang Jiagen, and Zhang Hongfen — all professional trail runners who have achieved excellent results in numerous competitions.
This time, the Flying Team’s full set of HK100 trail-running gear has been custom-made by us. For apparel, we leveraged Pathfinder’s Polar Biomimetic Technology Platform. The clothing uses high-elasticity filament fabric that is quick-drying, supportive, snugly comfortable, and ergonomically designed — suitable for daily fitness as well as meeting the demands of long-distance trail running in complex environments.
▲ “Big Red Pao” Shoes
The race route features rugged terrain, including mountain crossings and paths strewn with small rocks and tangled tree roots. Having a high-performance pair of trail shoes is crucial, and this also serves as a rigorous test for our ultimate product craftsmanship.