Lantau 2 Peaks RD Explains Decision to Go Ahead With Race

Action Asia Press Release / 07.10.2015

Michael Madess the Race Director of the Lantau 2 Peaks race, which took place in bad weather conditions last weekend, explains his decision to go ahead with the race.

First, I am able to report that the injuries sustained by participants on Sunday in the 2 Peaks race were treated by medical teams at nearby hospitals and they are both recovering and at home now. Both of the runners are experienced trail runners and have been exposed to a variety of trail conditions during their races and would have been used to wet trails - their falls were on slippery surfaces in non flooding areas. Even seasoned runners can get injured not just the inexperienced and slippery trails are able to catch out even the best.

Of course, as with any trail race, whatever the conditions, there were other minor injuries sustained by other runners but they were dealt with by the St John's Ambulance team on the course - located between Pak Kung Au (CP1) and Ngong Ping (CP2). Injuries of a minor nature are par for the course in trail running.

Activities in mountainous areas are by their very nature a risky pursuit. Participants are exposed to the elements in a way like no other. Being prepared for what the elements can present and the dangers and risks they pose is important. Thankfully trail runners in a race environment are some of the best prepared you will find on the mountains - wearing proper gear, good shoes, monitoring the weather, surveying the terrain and carrying where required (and in some cases even when not required) mandatory equipment for their own safety e.g. space blankets, protective wear, torches, headlights, spare batteries, extra nutrition and the like. They also benefit form an organisation structure that is monitoring them along the route from start to finish - marshals on course, checkpoint teams where there is food and drink, first aid support (often roving along the course), real time timing and tracking of runners and friends and supporters watching.

It is often the less prepared casual runners or hikers that expose themselves to needless risk by not being prepared or suitably equipped - wearing flip flops to walk over Sunset peak, as a real example, is simple foolhardy. Recently three leisure hikers died on the same weekend in tragic circumstances. I can cast no judgment on their abilities or preparedness but it simply highlights the risks of being in the mountains. They also lacked any supervision or support that a race organiser provides.

As one of the oldest and most experienced trail and adventure race event organiser in HK (since 1998) I have seen the phenomenal growth in popularity in this activity which is also borne out by the increasing number of races and event organisers in Hong Kong and the Asia region. We pride ourselves on making participant safety our number one priority. We are saddened when we have any injuries in any of our events however minor, but as mentioned they are expected and cannot always be avoided. We always provide first aid and medical support at strategic spots on our courses and in some cases roving first aid team runners on the trail to provide more timely assistance where required.

The race on Sunday was held in bad weather conditions, it is fair to say. In fact it is rare for trail running events in HK to take place in such extremes. Often times it is intense heat and humidity which are the main issues for runners to contend with. It is unusual to have a typhoon in HK hitting HK at this time of year. The trail racing season has just started in earnest 2-3 weeks ago and continues through to April, for the very reason that these are better months weatherwise to be undertaking heavy and intense outdoor activities in mountainous areas.

We have often run races as have other organisers in wet conditions and often there have been few if any injuries. The injuries on Sunday that occurred in the 2 Peaks race have been highlighted dramatically by some and the implication being that they were due to the conditions. These sort of injuries can happen in any wet surface conditions, particularly to runners who are running hard and fast. The injuries were not due to being blown over, being hit by flying objects, lightening or flash floods - for which we are all thankful as they could have been more serious, without diminishing the seriousness of the incidents that took place. Both incidents were attended to promptly by experienced volunteer staff at the Ngong Ping checkpoint. The first incident being only 1km from the checkpoint.

The other faller was in a rather more distant location about 4km from the checkpoint; it is this distance from the road access at Ngong Ping which meant the emergency services had a long trek to reach the injured runner before they could evaluate the best way to treat him. Distance form road access is always a determining factor in the speed of emergency services getting to an injured person in the mountains. Air evacuation is not always feasible, even in good weather conditions.

I am aware of much debate about whether the race should have taken place at all - in the social media and the press. Opinion is divided. As Race Director it is my responsibility to make decisions about if and how races are conducted and indeed cancelled , postponed or stopped midway. Conditions throughout the 23km race course varied a great deal from time to time throughout the day and changed quite rapidly. The issues facing the race director are not always easy and communications between organising staff in mountains is impaired by poor mobile communication or wireless signals.

Many will be astonished to know that many of the runners absolutely loved the race on Sunday. Extremes are their thing. No one has reported to me that runners were moaning about how they thought the race should be stopped. No one was forcing them to compete or continue. Those that felt unsure turned back. Those that had concerns did not even come to the start - we had a high DNS and a high DNF percentage for this race understandably. In addition, there were a good number of the public on the course also before and during the event.

In order to address concerns surrounding the starting of the race in the first place, I am currently reviewing all aspects of how decisions are made as to how races are conducted and decisions made as to if and how to start. I will be making proposals and trying to collaberate to fellow race directors so we agree consistent guidelines for events so that there is less ambiguity and confusion and debate over events occurring. This initiative should allay concerns of those involved in the events - participants, volunteers, emergency services, service providers, organisers RDs and the AFCD and the police.

Yours Sincerely
Michael Maddess
Race Director & Course Designer
Lantau 2 Peaks

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