Cross the Frog, Hong Kong Island – Run of the Month Sep 20

Over the many runs in a month, some are particularly memorable. I want to keep a record of at least one of these special runs each month so I can look back and say – ah yes, I did that, that was cool.

For you, this could be inspiration for you to run an epic run a month. Or act as a route guide for you to follow me on these epic trips. If you happen to travel to Hong Kong or live in Hong Kong, I recommend getting a run on this route.

My blog went live on September 2020, so this is my first Run of the Month. For this run, I ran across Hong Kong Island (aka the frog) from west to east to try and catch a sunrise.

Epic Runs in Hong Kong – Cross the Frog Run

Hong Kong Island West to East | 21km | 800m

This run was grown out of insomnia as I messed up my time zone after writing my posts late at night for over a week. As I rolled in bed with my brain running like crazy at 3am, I said F It, I need a run.

This route has been in my mind for a while. It’s not the longest run or the hardest run, but just cool to do especially in the middle of the night. How often can you conquer an island, especially one of the most famous ones in the world?

The timing was also right – I could possibly make it to the other side of the island to catch the sunrise.

So I got my ID Card, Octopus Card, some spare change, my keys, and 500ml of water. I fit them all in my T8 Sherpa Running pants, put on my Altra Solstices, and off I went.

There were plenty of exit points to public transportation (even early morning) along the route in case I had to turn around. 95% of the path is well paved and 90% of the route has limited or no vehicle access, so it’s a fairly safe route.

Here’s the map of my route.

 

If you zoom out, Hong Kong Island looks like a frog facing west (left). Thus the “Cross Frog” Run.

Experience Along the Route

I took the High Way (as I call it, not an official name) of Hong Kong Island. As some of you might know, over 180 years of development has created a complex and extensive road network across the hilly Hong Kong Island.

The High Way follows the side of the ridge line at roughly 300m-400m elevation and cuts across the island from west to east. It is a fantastic route to get some cooler air and quieter streets as long as you can make the climb up to the High Way.

I started from the shores of Kennedy Town in western Hong Kong Island at around 4am. The first part was the toughest, but fortunately, I was running it at the time when I was most energetic (beginning of a run).

I Jogged up the steep paths of Pokfield Road and Hatton Road to the Lugard Road Circular Path (400m climb in 4km). From here most of the climbing is done and I start my generally relaxed downhill run for the next 8 km.

At 5.2km, I pass by the unusually quiet Peak Tower, a huge contrast from daytime for this busy tourist spot.

Then I continue on Barker Road and Coombe Road for the next 3km alongside huge mansions that are worth hundreds of millions of dollars. I, on the other hand, get glimpses of the sleepy city all to myself when I look left of the road. A million-dollar view all to myself.

Wan Chai Gap Park and a 6-way junction is found at the end of Coombe Road (8.2km by now). During the daytime, there is a kiosk here that sells refreshments.

Choose the most undesirable path out of the 6 choices. (It’s the darkest with the most uphill and the one with 2 “Do Not Enter” signs). I actually enjoy this 3km section called Black’s Line. There’s good shade and wide paths.

Exit from the other side where you see civilization again (approx.. 11.2km in the run) and cross over to Tai Tam Reservoir Road for a steep 500m climb before running downhill towards Tai Tam Reservoir (13.3km).

The sky is brightening but rain seems to be approaching as well. As I ran along the still-well-paved paths towards Tai Tam Gap, heavy rain started to fall upon me.

With nowhere to hide, I ran on. Getting wet and running in the rain turned out to be soothing and fun. I firmly believe these experiences, that we missed since childhood, keep us young and alive.

The only section of dirt trail exists at 16km and lasts for a brief 500m. Still slows me down quite a lot in the rain.

The rain continued on and off through to the end of the run. The next 3.5km running on the sides of Mount Collinson and Pottinger Peak was uneventful until reaching Pottinger Peak View Compass (20km). This is the spot where I got to see the first view of the eastern ocean.

The clouds blocked the sun (no sunrise to see today ☹) but the view was still great, especially compared to where I could have been (rolling in bed getting a headache).

The Pottinger Peak View Compass is a good enough spot for an expansive view of the ocean. For many, this could be the destination. My destination today, however, is 1km, 200m elevation lower down by the water.

Through a hidden path in the last 200m, I accessed the Former Cape Collinson Battery. A WWII war relic sitting alone by the ocean – a perfect place to contemplate life, feel surrounded by the ocean, and watch a sunrise (if you were luckier than me today).

This is my destination for today’s epic run, let me lie on the Battery and soak it in. The run took me about 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Access to the Route

I set the start point (western-most point) as Sai Wan Swimming Shed, which is a special Hong Kong landmark (Ideal destination to run the route reverse for the sunrise)

Sai Wan Swimming Shed (0km) is accessible via

Tram: 1km along Victoria Road from the Kennedy Town Tram Terminus (Routes across North Hong Kong Island)

Bus: 1km along Kennedy Town Bus Terminus (Routes 5B, 5X, 10 to North Hong Kong Island, and 101, 104 to Kowloon)

MTR: 1.2km from Kennedy Town MTR (first train 6am)

Peak Tower (5.2km) is accessible via

Peak Tram: to Admiralty

Bus: 15 to Central via Wan Chai

Walk: 2.2km 360m descent to Lan Kwai Fong, Central via Old Peak Road

Wan Chai Gap (8.2km) is accessible via

Bus: 15 to Central via Wan Chai

Walk: 1.6km 260m descent to Wan Chai MTR via Wan Chai Gap Road

Wong Nai Chung Gap (11.2km) is accessible via

Bus: 6, 41A, 63, 66, 76 to both north and south sides of Hong Kong Island

Walk: 2km 190m descent north to Happy Valley Tram Terminus, 3km 190m descent south to Ocean Park MTR

Tai Tam Road (16.8km) is accessible via

Bus: 9 to Shau Kei Wan and Shek O, 14 to Sai Wan Ho and Stanley

Former Cape Collinson Battery (21.1km) (Eastern-most point) is accessible via walking only

Walk: 1.9km 100m climb then 120m descent to Siu Sai Wan Island Resort Bus Terminus

From Siu Sai Wan Island Resort Bus Terminus, there are many frequent buses to other parts of Hong Kong Island.

Conclusion

This route has become very popular in the last 2 months with the popularity of virtual runs. One of the runs is the virtual Cross Frog Run. Check it out if you drop by this site before Oct 2020.

For myself, I felt relaxed and happy after the run, in deep contrast to the stress of insomnia.

It is a great feeling to see the sky turn bright, city wake up, and say good morning to the few grandpas and grandmas on their morning walk.

I ended the morning with a quick 20-minute bus ride on route 788 from Siu Sai Wan Island Resort to Central and enjoyed some tomato breakfast noodles at a Dai Pai Dong (street tea store). What a way to start (or end?) the day.

Hope you enjoyed my journey.

Let me know when you run this route!

If you want to start joining my adventures but haven’t started running yet, click on this post to get you started in becoming a runner! How to Become a Runner: A Comprehensive Guide for Your First Two Months