Ready Racer is a new series of short training programs designed to prepare busy racing enthusiasts to experience varying race terrains and conditions in short weekend environments.

It is the brainchild of Ms. Liew Wei Yong, director of Train Live Compete (TLC), who saw the necessity of getting race participants to be physically and mentally prepared, especially if they're taking part in overseas races where the race environments are significantly different from what we are familiar with locally.

"In my years of experience of ultramarathons and multi stage desert racing, I've seen many participants investing time and money to be at the race start point, only to be overwhelmed when they have reached the race site. Elevation challenges, improper equipment and unmatched nutrition are just some of the problems they encountered. They have no options other than to start the race. However, they either then Did Not Finish (DNF) or completed the races with injuries and pain", said Wei Yong.

Ready Racer kicks off in Hong Kong's Tai Mo Shan Country Park on 23 to 24 September with a specific focus on elevation training. This training series ties up with RacingThePlanet, famed for their 7-day 250km multi-stage foot race 4 Desert series.

Beyond Hong Kong, TLC is also planning for Ready Racer programs in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, offering exposure to rainforests, volcanoes, high temperatures and extreme humidity.

All programs are designed to take place on weekends, so that participants can arrive at the locations late on Friday, train on Saturday and Sunday, and leave by Sunday evening.

A Short Training Weekend Getaway

If you are keen to participate in Ready Racer Hong Kong, you may fly out of Singapore on late Friday night or the wee hours of Saturday, and meet at RacingThePlanet location at Sheung Wan.

You will attend a short briefing session, have lunch and then whisked away to Shing Mun Reservoir. You will then be guided on hill drills, before taking on the MacLehose Trail 7, which starts at the south end of Shing Mun Reservoir. You will then continue from Needle Hill to Grassy Hill, where the path changes into a concrete road and leads continuously uphill.

Lots of beautiful forest views towards Lead Mine Pass, and then onwards to Tai Mo Shan Visitor Centre, where you will ascend 957m, the highest point of Tai Mo Shan, and also of Hong Kong.

On Sunday, you will start at Fat Yip lane, pass through Ha Fa Shan and up to Fa Lian Shan. Using Route Twisk, you will again climb up to the peak of Tai Mo Shan, with options for hill repeats.

Training ends in the late afternoon, with sufficient time for you to fly out at night, and arrive in Singapore around midnight. Of course, if you have time to spare, you may want to take a day or two to relax and do some shopping in Hong Kong.

L-R: Mason Kwan Wai Chun, Wei Yong, Chian Jia, Wyan Chow on a recce trip

Train With An Elite Trail Runner

Wei Yong will lead the program, and will have Mason Kwan Wai Chun to assist. "Ah Chun", as he is affectionately known, is a regular podium finisher in the Asia trail scene, with his recent achievements winning TNF 100 Korea for his age group category two months ago, and clocking 14:33:17 hours in this year's Hong Kong 100. So, if you're just preparing for your first overseas race, or a seasoned racer looking to train with an elite runner, Ready Racer Hong Kong will cater to your needs.

For more information and sign up, visit Spacebib today.