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A Record Breaking Trailwalker

Ryan S Blair / 30.11.2009

China's Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) edge THE NORTH FACE team to take home the title in Hong Kong's legendary Oxfam Trailwalker 100km endurance race.

This past week history was made in more ways than one during Hong Kong's legendary Oxfam Trailwalker 100km endurance running event.

Firstly, you had one of the most competitive fields ever assembled in the event's 23 years that would see an unprecedented five teams break the 13-hour barrier. And it was not the 100km that necessarily created the toughest challenge ... the record 1,100 teams of four also had a staggering 4,780 meters running downhill along with the same ascent on a course that spans Hong Kong's entire new Territories.

One of the more unique line-ups was the THE NORTH FACE team made up of a Mainland USA-Hong Kong-Taiwan collaboration. Indeed, it may have been the first time these regions were on the same team in any sport.

Besides finishing the grueling event under 13 hours without injury, the team also had another bigger goal. Ryan Blair explained, "Let this be an example for our homelands to see how its possible to work together as a team, no matter how big the challenge or which language or culture you come from. Now is a time for not just talking, but serious action and collaboration between the US and Greater China to tackle many important issues facing the world such as climate change. Anything is possible with good teamwork, communication and determination."