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The 9 Dragons

01-Feb-2019 Hong Kong, Hong Kong

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10 REVIEWS

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Trail Race Race Terrain

135KM / 84Miles
2 Days - 450 Runners

Alternate Distances: 80KM/50M 50KM/31M

DIFFICULTY Race Difficulty Expert

Entry From $750 HKD

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It begins with a boy Emperor...

A transliteration of the Chinese 九龍, gau lung, or “Nine Dragons”, Kowloon is named for the eight mountains which rear up behind the plateau—and one final dragon besides.

Legend goes that Kowloon was named in the year 1278 by the boy Emperor Bing, of the Southern Song Dynasty. Noticing the eight hills of Kowloon (Kowloon Peak, Tung Shan, Tate's Cairn, Temple Hill, Unicorn Ridge, Lion Rock, Beacon Hill, Crow's Nest), the emperor was pleased to name them the “Eight Dragons”—but a quick-witted courtier pointed out that the emperor was a dragon himself, making it nine dragons.

The team at RaceBase aimed high with a back-to-back 50/50 plus all the extra-curricula activities too. Sure, it was not without a few hiccups but overall was an amazing weekend of rugged trails, wonderful atmosphere and great racing. This race is tough and not for everyone, but a really fun challenge. Two thumbs up!

- John Ellis (50/50)

Two days - three events.

The 50 Mile course (82.1km approximately) crosses Kowloon and the New Territories in Hong Kong from west to east. The route uses a variety of trail including the Maclehose and Wilson trails, among others. The race is scheduled to start in Yuen Long at Po Leung Kuk Jockey Club Tai Tong Holiday Camp, and finish in Tai Po. The race has an accumulative vertical of 4,400m.

The 50km course starts in Tai Po, runs through the New Territories and finishes in Kowloon. It runs from North to South. The route uses a variety of trail including some of the Wilson and Maclehose, among others. The race has an accumulative vertical of 3,700m.

The 50/50 is for the bravest and the winner will be The 9th Dragon! Both races same weekend.

Are you brave enough?

Event Organiser
RaceBaseAsia

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Beginner

Elevation: Very little change < 500 metres. Benign running terrain, not technical.

Suitable for: First ultra runners completing a marathon or doing regular long distance running in the last six months.

Intermediate

Elevation: Increase of up to 1000 metres

Suitable for: Runners who have completed at least one ultra distance race (or similar event) or are doing long distance running (>26 miles) regularly, with elevation shown.

Advanced

Elevation: Increase of up to 1500 metres

Suitable for: Runners who have completed several ultra distances or similar events, or are doing long distance running regularly, with elevation shown.

Expert

Elevation: Increase of up to 2000 metres with some challenging climatic conditions (e.g. ice, snow, humidity or heat) and or technical terrain

Suitable for: Experienced runners who have completed at least regular ultra distances in last 12 months, or are doing regular long distance running (>50 miles) with elevation and conditions shown (where possible). Admission to these races may be subject to evidence of recent qualifying race participation and recent medical examination certificate. Check with the race organiser regarding entry requirements.

Brutal

Elevation: Increase of up to 2000 metres with very challenging climatic conditions (e.g. ice, snow, humidity, heat or at high altitude) and or technical terrain.

Suitable for: Very experienced long distance ultra runners (min 3 years’ experience) or are doing regular long distance running (>50 miles) with elevation and conditions shown (where possible). Admission to these races is often subject to evidence of recent qualifying race participation and recent medical examination certificate. Purchase of specialist kit is often recommended for these races.

Endurance - Multi-activity

Type: An ultra distance race including at least two of the following activities such as running, swimming, cycling, kayaking, skiing and climbing. It may also include different climatic conditions (eg ice, snow, humidity, cold water, mud or heat).

Suitable for: Experienced multi-skilled athletes who have trained for the different activities included in this event. Admission to these races may be subject to receipt of a recent medical examination certificate. Check with the race organiser regarding entry requirements and any specialist equipment required such as a wetsuit, skis or a mountain bike.

Global - Virtual

Type: A virtual race which can be run at any time shown on the dates shown, on any type of terrain in any country.

Suitable for: For runners from beginners to experienced as you choose your own course and challenge based on the guidelines and options set by the virtual race organiser.

Review The 9 Dragons

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kallan

04:06 02-03-17

Feb 2017. I did the 50 miler. Beautiful course, brutal end with lots of rolling ups and downs. Come to think of it, brutal at the beginning as well with technical downhill in total darkness. Well organized with good CPs.

sunshine groove

12:35 01-03-17

Wow......what an epic event. My first Ultra and it couldn't have been more challenging, exhilarating or rewarding. The organisers from RaceBase Steve, Nic and Michael have found a winning formula and really know how to organise a race, nay more than a race, an epic adventure. The course was demanding, the hospitality first class, and the camaraderie among participants and organisers made for a fantastic, unforgettable weekend. This is an instant classic and a must do race on the Asia Ultra calendar.

lino_lopes@hotmail.com

01:43 28-02-17

2017 9🐉 50k crazy 😜 cut off, amazing route, very technical and tough!! Not for faint heart ❤️! CP well organised with plenty of food 🥘 and water 💦 😜 a big shout out to RD SC 2 x 👍👍! Thanks for a memorable race!!!! Love ❤️ glass in the end

paul_ridley

01:32 28-02-17

The newest and best race series in Hong Kong! Organisers RaceBase nailed their newest race with a gritty pair of challenging routes, tough elevation and excellent markings and aid stations throughout. My legs were battered after the 50 miles and a short rest is all I got before the 50k chewed me up further. This was all worthwhile though for the sizeable burgers and locally brewed beers waiting for me at the finish. Designed for more experienced trail racers, the 9Dragons 50/50 is as challenging as they come and demands deep mental and physical reserves. Enter this event or one of them on their own - you'll feel proud to finish regardless.

jacky leung

06:31 28-02-17

2017 50/50, it really pushed self beyond limit at day 2 50km with intense cut-off time with no mercy to those 50mile finishers on day 1. It taught me how to shorten my recovery time between races too. Nice race!

Big Al

06:15 28-02-17

Excellent race very good organised and probably the best race pack I ever received The 50 K course is very tough and cut off times pretty hard great race however with great views

yimster

05:45 28-02-17

Wicked! That's all I can say after having raced most of the ultras here in Hong Kong. Love the new challenge of the 50/50 over 2 days. It may look easy having a break in between, but believe me, after you've done with Day 1 of 50 miler with that much of an elevation gain, you wished you hadn't sign up for the 50km the next day!

Brilliantly planned and organised with super water stations manned by some of the most helpful volunteers ever. Enjoy the whole journey and experience from beginning of Day 1 till the end of Day 2. Lovely route, scenic and you get a good taste of all the tough and steep hills in Hong Kong, and some repeated twice on both days! Highly recommended for trail junkie looking for the next big challenge.

Keilem

05:12 28-02-17

2017 50km only. A very tough course coupled with intense cut off times. All up and down with not much flat. A great time!

Patrikc

05:11 28-02-17

Proud to be a survivor of the 50/50 challenge/torture. Nice route tho bit lost, great atmosphere and tough challenge! A unique stage race in the city covering many brilliant ideas from the race management team. Well done!

JTM

02:50 28-02-17

I took part in the 50/50 race which involved running 50 miles on Saturday, followed by 50k on Sunday. With brutal elevation and very tight cut-offs, this was one of the most challenging multi-stages I have raced in. For those who don't know Hong Kong, we have miles of beautiful trails and hills, so the course was spectacular. I loved the atmosphere which the organisers created. Highly recommend this event to ultra runners looking for a tough weekend of racing !

The 9 Dragons

01-Feb-2019 Hong Kong, Hong Kong