Oxfam Trailwalker scrapped after government denies exemption from group gathering ban
- Oxfam Hong Kong’s application rejected, just three weeks out from event with 4,600 participants signed up
- Organisers hope to stage ‘alternate’ event next month, with refunds available for teams who choose not to take part
The Oxfam Trailwalker has been nixed for a third year in a row after organisers were denied an exemption by the government from its ban on group gatherings amid strict Covid-19 restrictions in the city.
Oxfam Hong Kong said it received written notice from the government on Tuesday that its application had been rejected just three weeks out from the 2021 charity trail running race, which was scheduled to run for November 19-21, despite continuing to provide details about preventive measures over the past few months.
“OHK is extremely disappointed and saddened that it is unable to hold an in-person event this year,” a statement read.
Organisers said they are waiting on approval to hold an “alternate” event sometime between November 22 and December 12, though teams who choose not to take part can receive refunds of their registration and application fees, and any donations.
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The charity organisation said the government had determined there would be “a potential risk for the spread of the virus” this time around, as race organisers would not be able to separate the 4,600 participants from other hikers on the MacLehose Trail – which is open to the public – during the three-day event.
Organisers had planned to “drastically” reduce the number of teams, as well as discourage the involvement of support teams, and provide more food and water along the route.
Usually, more than 4,000 runners take part in teams of four. Teams typically are joined by friends and family for different parts of the course, helping carry food and water. With that in mind, there are thousands more out on the trail during the event.
The 48-hour event spans 100 kilometres from Sai Kung to Yuen Long, with food and drink available for runners at several checkpoints along the trail.
Organisers had proposed providing individually wrapped food items to help meet requirements from the government, which has approved other large-scale sports events that do not offer food, such as last weekend’s Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon.
All participants would also have been required to be fully vaccinated, and submit negative Covid-19 test results 48 hours before the race.
Organisers said further details of the alternate event would be provided later this week. “As always, we remain committed to pressing ahead with you and hope to see you on the trail soon,” the statement added.
The Trailwalker was launched in 1981 as a training exercise for the British military, and they invited Oxfam to transform it into a charity fundraising event in 1986, with the event given to Oxfam Hong Kong after the handover 11 years later.
Since 1986, more than 100,000 participants have raised over HK$600 million to support Oxfam’s poverty alleviation and emergency relief projects in Africa and Asia.
