Complete Guide to Taiwan Trail Races: MSIG Hong Kong / Taiwan Series

Introduction

MSIG (Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group) is a trail running race series sponsored by Japan’s Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group and organized by Hong Kong’s RaceBase. The series spans Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and other locations, serving as an important channel for accumulating ITRA points in Asia. For Taiwanese trail runners, the MSIG series is a key stepping stone toward international events such as UTMB.

MSIG Series Race Overview

Race Name	Location	Main Distances	Race Frequency
MSIG Sai Kung 50	Sai Kung, Hong Kong	30/50K	Annual
MSIG Lantau 50	Lantau Island, Hong Kong	27/50K	Annual
MSIG Taiwan Race	Taiwan	Varies	Irregular
MSIG HK168	Hong Kong	168K	Annual (early event, now discontinued)

MSIG Series Features

1. ITRA Certification

Most MSIG races are ITRA-certified and can earn:

• ITRA Performance Index
• Running Stones (some are UTMB World Series events)
• Mountain Points

This is important for runners planning international races.

2. Hong Kong Terrain Characteristics

MSIG Hong Kong races are known for being “short but steep”:

• High elevation gain density (50m+ per kilometer)
• Many stairs (a hallmark of Hong Kong trails)
• Coastline and forest alternating
• Technical descents that test your skills

3. International Field

Hong Kong races attract many European and American runners, making them a stage to test your abilities against international competition.

MSIG Sai Kung 50 Course Analysis

MSIG Sai Kung 50 is one of the most iconic races in the series:

Section	Distance	Cumulative Elevation Gain	Main Terrain
Start Section	0-10K	600m	Coastline + first climb
Middle Section	10-25K	1,200m	Forest single track + stairs
Later Section	25-40K	800m	Technical descent + coastline
Finish Section	40-50K	400m	Trail back to the start

Total elevation gain is approximately 3,000m, ranking among the toughest 50K races in Asia.

Pacing Strategy

Based on MSIG race characteristics:

Start Section (0-10K)

• Hong Kong races often have congestion at the start (single-track trails)
• Don’t try to overtake on the first climb; conserve energy
• Keep heart rate at the upper end of Zone 2

Stair Section Strategy

The numerous stone steps on MSIG courses are a challenge:

• Use a “stepping walk” for ascending stairs rather than running to save energy
• Take small, quick steps when descending stairs to avoid knee impact
• If there is a dirt path alongside the stairs, use it to spare your knees

Technical Descents

Hong Kong trails are wet and slippery:

• Slow down 20% in rainy conditions
• Use tree branches or ropes for support
• High risk of falling; err on the side of caution

Gear Recommendations

Footwear

• High-traction trail shoes (Salomon Speedcross, Inov-8 X-Talon)
• Lugs of 6mm+ for stability on wet, rocky surfaces
• Softer midsole to absorb impact from stairs

Clothing

• Short-sleeve quick-dry top + trail shorts
• Sun hat (strong subtropical sun)
• Waterproof jacket (frequent rain in Hong Kong’s mountains)
• Trail vest 5-10L

Nutrition

• Salt tablets (subtropical heat and humidity)
• Energy gels + solid food
• Carry your own water (when aid station spacing is wide)

ITRA Points Accumulation Path

Use MSIG as a starting point to plan your ITRA points:

1. Year One: MSIG Taiwan or the 30K category (1 Stone)
2. Year Two: MSIG Sai Kung 50 (2 Stones)
3. Year Three: HK168 or MSIG Lantau 50 (2-3 Stones)
4. Year Four: Accumulate 5+ Stones to enter the UTMB World Series main event lottery

Training Recommendations

Training focus for MSIG races:

1. Stair Training

Good places to train stairs in Taiwan:

• Xiangshan Six Giant Rocks Trail
• Xinyi District Four Beasts Mountain Trail
• Yangmingshan Qixing Mountain Trail

Do stair training once a week (500m+ elevation gain).

2. High-Density Elevation Gain

MSIG has high elevation gain per kilometer; training options in Taiwan:

• Yangmingshan Main Peak traverse
• Wulai Neidong + Neidong Waterfall
• Beitou Guizikeng Trail

3. Technical Descents

Choose wet, technically demanding descent routes:

• Guanyinshan Yinghanling descent
• Wuliaojian descent section

Race Weekend Planning

Pre-Race Preparation

• Arrive in Hong Kong 1-2 days early to adjust to the time difference (only 1 hour, but it still has an impact)
• Mandatory attendance at the race briefing
• Gear check (strict mandatory gear list)

Post-Race Planning

• Stay in Hong Kong for 1-2 days after finishing for sightseeing
• Hong Kong has convenient transport; you can also visit Shenzhen or Macau
• Attend the post-race party to connect with other runners

Practical Tips

• Trip Budget: Flights + accommodation + entry fee approximately NT$15,000-25,000; plan ahead
• Visa: Taiwanese passport holders get 30-day visa-free entry to Hong Kong
• Language: English / Cantonese / Mandarin all work at the race; communication is not an issue
• Connectivity: Buy a short-term 4G SIM card in Hong Kong or enable roaming on your Taiwanese carrier

Conclusion

The MSIG series is an important stepping stone for Taiwanese trail runners heading to the international stage. Hong Kong’s race culture, terrain challenges, and international atmosphere make the racing experience far superior to local Taiwanese events. The next time you plan your trail running career, make MSIG Sai Kung 50 an annual goal. This race is not just about ITRA points—it’s your ticket into Asia’s top trail running community.

Related Reading

• Complete Guide to Taiwan Trail Races: Action Asia Series
• Taiwan Mountain Ultramarathon: UTMB Asia Series Race Preparation Guide
• International Trail Races: HK100 and HK168 — A Complete Introduction to Hong Kong’s Premier Trail Events
• Taiwan Trail Running Race Guide: TNF100, XTERRA and More — Race Features and Participation Guide