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Running in Hong Kong

Hong Kong wasn’t my ideal running course but I was thrilled with the opportunity to run in new, unfamiliar territory nonetheless. I ran twice on mornings despite the tired, stiff legs from the non-stop shopping and commuting (and carrying my 42 lb. 3-year old daughter half the time!) As for swimming, the pools at both hotels we stayed in where tempting, but I chose to rest my weary legs for a good run instead. There was no way I was missing out on runs in HK!

RUN NO. 1: KOWLOON PARK
Date & Time: April 6, Sunday, 6:30 a.m.
Length of Time: 40 mins
Distance: 5 km

Oh, the hubby wasn’t too happy about this run. He expressed his hesitation about me going out on my own the night before, but I tried my best to appease him by promising I’d run back in a snap if at any time I didn’t feel secure. Anyway, I was planning to run in a happy little place called Kowloon Park just a stone’s throw away from our hotel.

Fortunately, I was right. Kowloon Park was indeed a peaceful, relaxing, and undeniably a safe area for me amid the octogenarians who were practicing Tai Chi early that morning. They were all over the place; it was almost like the movie Cocoon asian version! No muggers or creepy people here, hubby!

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- Kowloon Park, a safe haven amid the hustle and bustle of Tsim Shat Sui -

The park had clean, wide paths which led to different areas within the park such as the aviary, playground, duck pond, public swimming pool (with nearby McDonalds), and even a fitness trail. Running from end to end was more or less a kilometer (I couldn’t trust my Garmin here as the GPS signal was intermittent due to the buildings in the surrounding area) so I decided to just enjoy the scenery and run where my feet would take me.

The course was mostly flat with small hills to break the monotony but not enough for a good challenge. I even headed for the fitness trail expecting a great hill workout, but found myself surrounded by lolas and lolos strolling up and down slight inclines.

I ran about 4.5 km at an easy pace with long walking breaks when I’d stop to check out the playground for the kids or stare in awe at the beauty of Tai Chi. Despite the lack of a challenge, it was a fun run for me. Just what I needed to reenergize for the long day ahead in Ocean Park.

RUN NO. 2: DISNEY HK
Date & Time: April 9, 6:45 a.m.
Length of Time: 36 mins
Distance: 4.5 km

On our 4th night, we stayed at Disney Hotel in Lantau Island. I was ecstatic over the fact that they had a Jogging Map and promptly studied one to plan my route for the following morning. I chose the scenic Waterfront Promenade route which would take me from our hotel, Disneyland Hotel, to Hollywood Hotel through the jogging paths by the sea. I planned on extending that route to reach Inspiration Lake, which would give me more or less 5km.

That morning, our last day in HK, I dragged myself out of bed feeling sluggish and tired. You would too had you spent a full day at Disneyland Park with two kids who insisted on riding each and every ride—except for Dumbo and Orbitron twice and Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups thrice!

As soon as I stepped out of the hotel’s back door, however, all aches and pains disappeared. Was this where I was going to run? I was in heaven!

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- My first view of my running path that morning -

After some stretching by the Mickey Mouse maze, I followed the red jogging path (mostly running on the grass though for less impact) and enjoyed the cool wind and cloudy sky. After a few meters, however, I didn’t find myself at Hollywood Hotel as the jogging map had shown, but I was in the delivery parking lot! I ran through this and exited the hotel running instead on Magic Road, the main road surrounded by mountains and trees on both ends, and decided to follow this straight course to Inspiration Lake.

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- Everyone is asleep at Disneyland except for The Bull Runner -

Running on the empty streets was pretty cool, but after a while my imagination started running wild. I felt like I was in Jurassic Park and I expected a velociraptor to pounce on me anytime. (So much for running in the happiest place on earth eh?!) I was 200m shy of Inspiration Lake when I decided to turn back. I couldn’t muster up the courage to pass the pedestrian tunnel alone and I was feeling some discomfort on my left knee. Peeved at this sign of injury, I walked a few meters and entered Hollywood Hotel. After passing its back door, I discovered the jogging path! The real jogging path I was supposed to run! It was close to the water’s edge and not the red path I had ran through earlier!

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- I had the jogging path, and the amazing view, all to myself -

As I entered the secure jogging area (where you must use your hotel room’s card), I couldn’t believe my eyes. I was alone with the sea with a full view of Hong Kong before me. It was beautiful! I tried brisk walking… then jogging slowly… then a little faster to reach a steady 6:30 pace feeling no pain this time. I guess all I needed was some inspiration!

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- Running back to Disneyland Hotel. I didn’t want this run to end! -

I ended the run hoping that I could stay just one day longer at this beatiful hotel. Just one more day to run, please? But alas, all things must come to an end, so I’m thinking maybe next year instead? Hmm maybe…

Posted on 04.10.08 to 01 Bullish Insights. Tags: , , , . Subscribe to follow comments on this post. 19 comments. Add your thoughts or trackback from your own site.

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19 Responses to “Running in Hong Kong”

  1. those are nice pics bullrunner. it’s good that you didn’t settle for treadmills in the hotel’s gym and chose to run outdoors instead. nothing beats running outdoors. welcome back, hope you and your family had a nice vacation.

    Levy said on Apr 10 08 at 10:49 AM Reply

  2. How did you manage to bring the camera and run? Lanyard? Nakakaingit, nice pics!

    Where’s Mickey? Di ba nagising for his morning run?

    Mark said on Apr 10 08 at 10:56 AM Reply

  3. TBR! Truly Beautiful Run!!! haha

    mond said on Apr 10 08 at 1:52 PM Reply

  4. Hi bullrunner, I’m a blog reader in HK. It’s good to know that you had some good, scenic and pain-free runs here. As for safety, your hubby really had nothing to worry about since HK is generally a safe place. Maybe you can join the HK marathon next year!

    Carlo said on Apr 10 08 at 1:54 PM Reply

  5. yes, br, nakakainggit iyong paths duon. hope we have more pockets of green here too.

    roadrat said on Apr 10 08 at 4:15 PM Reply

  6. Wow that was some good running in HK. Thanks for taking us along with the pics and descriptions. The run through HK Disney looked sweet and interesting. Way to rally despite the schedule, what a hard working runner you are!

    Rick said on Apr 10 08 at 4:57 PM Reply

  7. Levy, oh yes, I wouldn’t have missed running outdoors for anything. Besides, I was advised to stop using the treadmill by a running coach.

    Mark, nothing high tech, I just held the camera while running :) I actually left the room already and decided to ran back to get the digicam for fear I’d regret not taking any photos. As for mickey, nag inuman kami kasama nina Donald at Buzz the night before so hindi sila nagising for the morning run. May hangover siguro :)

    Mond, ey very witty. I like that!

    Carlo, where do you run over there? I spotted two shirtless runners at Central. Saw some other runners at the track near Ocean Park. But I was wondering what’s the best place to run.

    Roadrat, yes sana nga!

    Rick, I’m sure you’ll agree—it doesn’t feel like “work” at all…running is all play!

    bullrunner said on Apr 10 08 at 4:58 PM Reply

  8. yahooo! ang sarap nmn nyan jaymie! lantau island is my favorite place in HK. and i did a trail run there before (where the dragon trail is), and it was supeeeer! it cemented my idea that HK is really such a nice place to live.

    inggit ako sau, you can always squeeze in running. i tried to run in VN when i went there last month, but got a super tight sked. sayang! pro cge, na-inspire ako dito e, on my next trip to VN, i’d make sure i’d be able to sweat it out :-)

    banggigay said on Apr 10 08 at 5:41 PM Reply

  9. Bullrunner, I run inside the Happy Valley Racecourse where there is a paved running oval and a smaller track with a rubber-like surface. It’s free and open to the public until late night (which is the time I usually run). It’s certainly not as scenic as Disney but it serves its purpose. There’s a popular running route on HK Island on Bowen Road but I haven’t done this. Actually, many of the races are held in the New Territories where there is more space and the air is a bit less polluted.

    Carlo said on Apr 10 08 at 6:49 PM Reply

  10. WOW! Amazing… Nice pics indeed. The air looks clean. I wonder where are nice places to run in the Philippines.

    I also wonder what are affordable races that will be held outside the country so that I could experience it, just for the heck of it :)

    Passion Runner said on Apr 11 08 at 12:33 AM Reply

  11. Next time you go abroad with your 3 yr old, bring an umbrella stroller. You’ll thank me for this tip. My preferred brand is Maclaren. Its now locally available, price reasonable. Mas mura nga lang option ko as I got to borrow one from my sister.

    We stayed in Singapore for a week and I managed to squeeze in some runs as well. As most of the days were spent walking, glad I didn’t have to carry my boy. (if I did, laki na ng mga biceps ko. heheheh) He loved it so much that he was in his stroller most of the time. : )

    Markfb said on Apr 11 08 at 8:22 AM Reply

  12. jaymie you’re back!!! :D love the pics ah. i still can’t imagine running around hk disneyland though haha. tagal na nyang project mr. pizarrun na yan ah. :D

    by the way i saw H.T. at fort last night. my running crush! napabilis tuloy ako ng pace at napasabay kay pablo! hahahaha.

    marga said on Apr 11 08 at 10:40 AM Reply

  13. Banggi, I can squeeze in runs early in the morning because we don’t stay out late at night. And, i know i’ll regret it if I miss a run abroad. Have fun in VN! Ingat ka lang ha!

    Carlo, is that the oval i saw near Ocean Park? It’s beautiful. Nakakainggit. Thanks for the info. I’ll keep that in mind if I get to run there again in the future.

    Passion Runner, a lot of Pinoys join HK and Singapore marathon. As for nice places to run over here, I’m sure there are a lot. Kailangan lang hanapin!

    Markfb, I gave our umbrella stroller to my niece since my daughter always prefers to walk (or more like run all over the place) here in manila. Little did I know she would choose to be carried all the time there. We managed to rent a stroller for her at disney despite the fact that she’s 10 lbs over the weight limit. hahaha

    Marga, glad to have chatted with you earlier today to finally meet HT through friendster hahaha. Next time, dapat kasabay mo na siya sa run ha.

    bullrunner said on Apr 12 08 at 8:04 PM Reply

  14. Nice to run on those beautiful routes ms jaymie :) , I think I may revisit this post If I have a chance to visit HK in the future.

    TRF said on Apr 13 08 at 10:42 AM Reply

  15. Hi TBR,

    Nice pics! thx for having u back & family (safe). Like you said, hope we have a Jog path too in CCP-MOA-MARINA. Rgds to all runners. P.S. hati ang tao kanina GMA v GK

    Jhamfrens said on Apr 13 08 at 11:12 AM Reply

  16. Hmm, not sure if Happy Valley Racecourse is the one you saw since it isn’t exactly near Ocean Park but it’s on the way there. Happy Valley is where they have the horse races.

    Carlo said on Apr 13 08 at 9:34 PM Reply

  17. TBR,

    Wow, amazing jogging area in Hongkong, particularly in Disneyland Hotel! Nice pics you posted! Thank you for giving us info about this, will consider running in HK when i visit :)

    hotbodquestor said on Apr 14 08 at 11:50 AM Reply

  18. Hi, next time you got to hk, check out this blog site http://www.hkrunners.com/. Has lots of tips on shopping for gadgets, where to train and what the weather is like (esp useful for me leading up to last Feb’s Stan Chart Marathon since HK was having a prolonged cold snap that time). I’m in if anyone here is running HK next year. Just one tip though, do not get there days before the race. Shopping would be too tempting and you’ll regret that on race day.

    Tina said on Apr 15 08 at 7:49 AM Reply

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