Race Report by Captain P H Wong
Dear
Untouchables
'Ho San Kei, ah!',
I couldn't find a better description of the
Trailwalker 2004 exparience than those simple but spontaneous
words which were muttered out from Roger's mouth as we embraced like
two spent comrade-gladiators at the finishing line. Maybe it's the reflection
from the lights in the early hours of the morning, there was a hint of
tears. Seven times I had stood under the banner of the finish, but I
couldn't remember once I stood more triumphantly, proud with shoulders arched
back and chest pumped out.
I may
have completed 100km in faster times before but never have I felt more
satisfied with a mission accomplished. We had of course, or rather I
had, took on a mammoth, seemingly impossible task just two
days before the race.
When I decided to
invite Lau Sir into the team, I must admit that I have chose to totally
ignore the odds against us. However, despite his disappointing showings
(previous PB of almost 24hrs) in past Trailwalkers, I have always and will
always sing his praises. Nobody would believe Lau sir have it in him
to target 17 hrs; except me and just maybe, Lau sir himself after a few
beers.
At that time, I,
as the captain, only knew without any doubt, that a certain 'blood clot' need to
be removed from our team. I believe that Team Untouchable will remain as
untouchables only if we vehemently uphold our team motto "talk with your
legs and walk with your brains" and our spirit of togetherness and
comradeship. What's the bloody point of walking 100km with someone who had
blatantly betrayed team trust and always thinking that he could have done better
in another team!!? No matter how physically fit this person becomes
he is no longer fit to be an Untouchable again! Now,
you realise the distinction between Untouchables and, say,
Cosmoboys.
All optimism of
hitting the target of 16:40hrs evaporated in the hot sun on the way up Sai Wan
Shan when I turned around half way and recognise that no one,
including me, really have the belief and commitment to set hot
pursuit after that time. Everybody sensed that if we were to do that, we
would be at a high risk of not finishing as a team. That's the quality of a
great team!
What followed
after that point was all to be cherished and savoured for the rest of our lives.
We moved together, all the time sensing the physical and mental condition
of our teamates, encouraging by demeanor and pace, leading by the look of
assurance, concentrating on a common goal......we hardly even talked; its all
unspoken. Its beauty in silence; and no wonder I was freaked out by that loud
nuisance Lam Hok something in Sect 5. Ha! Ha! I hope my curt comment didn't
destroy the guy forever.
With superb
encouragement from Anita, our star of tomorrow, we drove on bravely into the
dark. Desperately tired and feeling bleakishly desolete, strangely we all
seem to be basking in the sense of uniformity and the 'as close as you
can get' brotherhood intimacy.
Young Nelson was a
lion, brave and determined, giving us silent support almost right to the
end. He had done justice to himself and proved his untouchable
qualities even though he isn't the fittest this year.
As I have
predicted, the immmense concentration leading the way over the 1st 75kms finally
took the toll on me after reaching the top of Tai Mo. How the three of you
helped the my burning knees, tired body and spent determination complete
the rest of the distance in respectable time was completely
awesome. Even the untouchable captain was amazed by the touching touches
all of you had put into the joint effort.
Last year, we had
a memory of famous and sweet victory.... but I felt a strange feeling of
incomplete satisfaction; this year our team actually lost but I felt
completely satisfied as I knew every team member, including Nel, Anita,
Onco, was a worthy Untouchable.
Well done,
Boys! (n Girl)
Peng
Hao
With Lau Sir's
permission, I will write an essay for the State Street award. I will of course,
chok dai, and recommend him for his team spirit, braveness to take on such an
impossible task of getting a SuperTrailwalker Certificate in such
emotional and dramatic circumstances, with such short notice, at 54, and
only trained half heartedly for about 7-8 times.
Unbelieavable!
Album by Roger
http://community.webshots.com/album/212639631paMrpD
Race Report by
Roger
At 02:30am on 6/11/2004, in the final stage of the race,
team Untouchables (#S08) arrived the bottom of the incline to Tai Lam reservior
water catchment. At the top of the
incline, we expected to meet our support team member "On Gor", but we were
already 35 minutes late, and, probably, On Gor had been there for more than 35
mintues. We hoped that he was still there. When we approached to the top, I
shouted "On Gor!", and immediately I heard the reply "«Yø«Y Roger§r?
(Is that Roger?)". What a relief,
On Gor was still there. He never
let us down. Then Billy quickly run to On Gor and On Gor quickly passed the
booster fuel - bottles of Coca Cola - to Billy. When this happened, the rest of
us walked non-stop passing On-Gor to save seconds. Billy then catching up
swiftly and passing us the fuel. Refuelling, we scrambled to the finishing point
trying to complete the race in 18 hours, i.e. getting there by 3:00am. 25
minutes left with around 4km concrete flat road to go. Running 4km in 25 minutes
is not difficult at all for average runner, but
it became mission difficult having just finished the
gruelling 96km mountainous trail. We kept stretching our necks hoping to see the
finishing point appearing in front of us while
running ......
8 minutes left, we finally
saw the guiding light leading to the finishing point. At 02:55am, we
crossed the finishing line, pumped our
fists, exchanged a lot of fives to
each others celebrating that we were "SuperTrailwalker" again except for
Lau Sir which was his 1st time ... click the link below to see what happened
afterwards......
From:
rogchan@hotmail.com
To: rogchan@clp.com.hk
Hi Sponsors
and Friends,
If you have a minute, check out these photos
from my Webshots photo
album!
Enjoy,
Roger | |
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Click on a photo below to view
the entire photo album!
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It was a success because it
met my target of finishing it in 18 hours. We did not break our team record
this year, but this one was full of team spirit.
It is certainly one of my most
enjoyable Trailwalkers of all I have ever
participated.
Dear Sponsors! Thanks for your support, I am
going to need your support again.
Roger S08D
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Website: http://www.clpgroup.com
Race Report by Billy
Trailwalker 2004..... And when all is done , the finishing line being
touched, the count down ends, my pensive mind keeps rushing to memories of it.
Indeed it was likened to a journey of journeys just like the " journey in
real life " but in miniature. To succeed required the smooth interplay of
human emotions, weaknesses, and wicked pride - all needed to be corked,
suppressed and controlled by common sense and Devine commandments just
like in the real life. We fought the good fight and ran the good race.
..And yet at the finishing line was a feeling of 'deja vu' of meaninglessness
just like again in the real life ...meaningless, meaningless all is
meaningless; vanity of vanities, all vanities; like a labour under
the sun and the chasing after the wind.
...But not to have done it, to remain idle and to do
nothing would comsume my own flesh and I would be a fool. So through the
wilderness of Hong Kong I ran, across the rugged plains and valleys to
the highest mountains of Taimoshan in sweat and pain to the limits of
endurance. ...And be so reminded of the hardship and tears of everyone else in
the real life. ...Up in the hills, in the loneliness of the night, through teary
eyes staring into the misty taste of moonshine, I thought of you and everyone
with much love, compassion and pleasant thoughts. ... Indeed Trailwalker
2004 was a memorable spot in time, a congenial spot in my year 2004 .. as
in Camelot !.
Thank you for reading and bearing with me so far.
Blessings and
Cheers
In HIM
billy
PS
Sponsorship for my run is still open but please do not feel obliged
or feel bad if you are not successful in sponsoring me. The worthy deed has
rendered me to part with some cash in sponsorship on behalf of us all. I
love you.
