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‘Sleep demons’ for some but Salomon Wettstein rests easy after breaking 60 on 298km Four Trails Ultra Challenge

Swiss runner reaches the postbox in Mui Wo after 56 hours and 14 minutes of non-stop running, becoming fifth ‘finisher’ in the event’s history

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Salomon Wettstein kisses the postbox in Mui Wo after becoming the first ‘finisher’ in this year’s Four Trails Ultra Challenge. Photos: Lloyd Belcher Visuals

Salomon Wettstein became the fifth finisher ever of the 298-kilometre Four Trails Ultra Challenge (HK4TUC) when he arrived in Mui Wo in 56 hours and 14 minutes.

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The HK4TUC links all if the major trails in Hong Kong – participants run the MacLehose, Wilson, Hong Kong and Lantau trails non stop with no check points or support, but they are allowed help travelling between each route.

Runners are deemed “finishers” if they reach the postbox in Mui Wo under 60 hours, and are “survivors” if they reach the end under 75 hours.

 
Friday was surprisingly hot and Wettstein began to doubt he would be “breaking 60” – a term popularised by last year’s documentary of the same name which brought attention to the event.

“The heat at night turned to mist and cold,” said the Swiss, a managing director at Synpulse Management Consulting in Hong Kong.

“With all this misery, I was two hours behind my plan. But there were so many people cheering along the way, it got me back into it.

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“It goes to show that on the HK4TUC, you cannot relax or take it easy. Even for an hour or half-hour, you have to be focused the whole time.”

Salomon Wettstein receives a hug after finishing the HK4TUC.
Salomon Wettstein receives a hug after finishing the HK4TUC.
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