Altra King of the Hills Sai Kung Mountain Marathon 2026

The Altra King of the Hills Sai Kung Mountain Marathon 2026 opens the 26th season of Hong Kong's long-running King of the Hills mountain-running series. Founded in 1998 and organised by Seyon Asia Limited, the series visits four distinct areas during 2026/27. This 29 November 2026 Sai Kung round is a separate race from the Lantau, Tai Po and Hong Kong Island rounds, with results contributing towards the season's King and Queen of the Hills awards. The organiser says the 2026/27 races have ITRA and UTMB Index accreditation.

Mountain courses and start times

This is a technical trail event, not a 21.1 km or 42.195 km road marathon. The organiser's September 2026 v3.0 instructions specify a 38.82 km full mountain marathon starting at 9:00 am with about 1,731 m ascent, three water stops and an eight-hour total time limit. The 19.52 km half mountain marathon starts at 9:30 am, climbs about 778 m, has two water stops and allows 4½ hours. The full-course documents contain some older split-table kilometre figures; the revised headline distances above are used here.

Runners start from the AFCD picnic-site area near Ferndale Kennels and Cattery in Pak Tam Chung, entering the MacLehose and connecting country trails. The routes visit hill paths around Cheung Sheung, Hoi Ha Road and Tai Tan; the long course continues via Chek Keng, Tai Long and Sai Wan before returning to Pak Tam Chung. The finish is around Pak Tam Chung Picnic Garden. Some sections were revised because of trail closures and traffic arrangements, so download the current v3.0 course map and GPX files, rather than relying on previous editions.

Race-day planning

Bib collection and baggage storage open at 8:00 am at Pak Tam Chung PHAB BBQ Site. Organiser-listed access includes bus routes 94, 96R, 74R and 289R, plus Sai Kung town green minibuses 7 and 9. The full course has checkpoint cutoffs after 5½ hours at Sai Wan Road and 7½ hours at the later checkpoint. Expect steep, uneven paths that can become slippery after rain, and carry your own filled hydration system. Organiser water stations refill containers rather than supplying take-away bottled water.

Entry is currently advertised by the organiser at HK$350 per race. The same official registration portal handles series packages and describes eligibility to redeem a 26th-season race T-shirt and baggage tag. Check that portal for remaining entries, current category terms and any final route notices.