NNormal, a brand newly launched in 2022, is a partnership between the world-renowned, one of the best trail runners Kilian Jornet, and family-owned, Spanish footwear company Camper.
Kilian Jornet aims to build a series of gears that are functional, performance-oriented, and built to last, centered around “Your Path, No Trace.” philosophy. And the trail running shoes Kjerag, in particular, have been worn and tested by Kilian Jornet, who has run nearly 1,400km in it, including including 4 races where he won 3 championships. He hopes to avoid overconsumption by building durable products and minimizing impact on the environment.
Shifting our focus from Spain to Hong Kong, we have the top-tier trail runner, HK4TUC Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge record holder Wong Ho Chung (Chung Sir). He is the NNormal's first Asian-sponsored athlete, in addition to his impressive achievements in trail running, he has been actively training the next generation in recent years, with the goal of passing on the spirit of trail running to the next generation.
This interview will delve deeper into his trail-running adventurous story with 10 questions, and how he is promoting trail running to more young people while all aimed at the concept of developing sustainable trail running. Let’s get started!
“To me, NNormal represents the concept of developing sustainable trail running, and I deeply believe in this. Whether it's environmental protection, youth training, or various directions, the efforts are all aimed at the concept of developing sustainable trail running.”
#1 How you first got into this adventurous sport?
When I was young, I really enjoyed running through the mountains, though the sport of trail running was not yet a thing of popular. Until I grew up and began road running in 2013 that I discovered Hong Kong actually hosted trail running events.
After participating in my first trail running competition, I was instantly captivated and fell in love with it, and that's what sparked my venture into the world of trail running.
#2 Trail running often takes us to beautiful and challenging landscapes. What are some of the most breathtaking places you've had the opportunity to run in?
Each region has its own unique natural wonders that never fail to leave me in awe.
If I'm running in Europe, I'm always struck by the majesty of the mountain landscapes - the towering peaks, jagged cliffs, and lush green valleys. Then in the desert areas, I find great appreciation in traversing the boundless desert, the occasional sandstorm emerging from the unchanging golden sands is also fascinating.
And when I had the chance to run in the South Pole region, the endless whiteness of the snowy terrain was just mesmerizing. Trekking alone across that pristine, frozen ground was an experience I'll never forget.
Trail running is ever-changing and has its own distinct natural beauty and charm, but they're all breathtaking in their own way.
In 2022, Wong Ho Chung traveled to France to participate in the UTMB trail race (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc). (Image Source: The North Face Adventure Team Facebook)
(Photo Credit, Thiago. Image Source: Wong Ho Chung's Facebook)
In 2018, Wong Ho Chung completed The 4 Deserts Ultramarthon Series (the Namibia, Gobi March, Atacama, and Antarctica), winning the overall championship with three gold medals and one silver. (Image Source: Wong Ho Chung’s Facebook)
#3 Trail running can be tough and demanding. How has this sport shaped you as a person, and what life lessons have you learned along the way?
One experience in particular stands out for me. It was back in 2013 when I was competing in the Qishan 100 trail race in China. As a relatively new runner on a 100km distance for the first time, I had little experience. I was pacing with the lead group up to the 50km mark, but at that point I realized I just couldn't keep up anymore. I stopped and seriously considered dropping out.
During that 45-minute rest period, I started to see the other runners, including the female and Hong Kong competitors, pass me by. And you know, even though I was fully intending to withdraw at that point, something inside me suddenly felt a new energy like I could still continue the race. I didn't have to give up just yet.
That experience taught me a really important lesson - that in the face of challenges, I don't always have to immediately resolve to quit. Sometimes, all I need is a moment to stop, think it over, and take a moment of rest. And then I can find the means and motivation to push forward, even if the solution isn't obvious right away.
This has shaped how I approach difficulties in all aspects of my life, not just in running. I've learned to never surrender, even when the problem at hand seems insurmountable. It just means I haven't found the right answer yet, but with perseverance, I believe I can discover a way through.
#4 What is the most memorable trail running experience?
I find trail running to be full of enjoyment. Going through different stages and taking on various races and distances, there are always special and memorable moments. One very memorable story was my first trail running competition - the 30km "Care Action Cup" race.
I was running the entire way with a senior who was guiding me, we overtook many other runners as he maintained a steady pace, leading me forward. He saw that I was quite young and participating for the first time, he felt I had great potential and ran alongside me. Even in the final 6km when my legs were cramping up, he was still there at the checkpoints getting me bananas and applying muscle rubs on me, and then encouraging me to push the pace for the final sprint.
At that young age, I had better short-burst speed, and ultimately I placed 6th while he placed 7th. The whole race was unforgettable - it was first extremely tiring but also allowed me to experience the human touch of trail running.
The very first trail running competition of Wong Ho Chung- the 30km "Care Action Cup" race. (Photo Credit: Issac Wong. Image Source: 【黃浩聰跑步回憶錄】第六篇 —— 越野跑熱鬥小馬(
Meanwhile, I also have to mention a recent race that was extremely unforgettable for me - “TOR 330 Tor des Geants”. It took place last August 2023, covering 330km with over 25,000m of elevation gain, requiring me to run continuously. I finished in 77 hours, placing 8th overall, which was unprecedented for an Asian athlete.
We had to conquer over 25 mountains above 2,500m, risking altitude sickness, in addition to the sheer distance, steep trails, and massive climbs. For us Asians, suddenly coming to Europe and taking on such massive elevation changes, is a real challenge.
The most special and tiring experience was on the second night, around 60 hours into the race. I started to lose consciousness and even experienced hallucinations. I had truly lost the ability to analyze the situation, but I was driven by the sole belief that I had to keep going.
I even questioned myself why I was putting myself through such suffering, and whether I should just sleep instead. But ever since my first trail race over a decade ago, I had chosen this path, and no matter how difficult the current challenges, they were of my own choice. I knew I could get through it, and that each small success would help me become capable of tackling even more demanding races.With that experience and faith to never give up, I persevered through the difficult stage and ultimately completed the "TOR 330 Tor des Geants".
Since this race, I'm now in a reflective period, seeking out other highly challenging competitions around the world to participate in. But there are few events more difficult than the "TOR 330 Tor des Geants", so I'll need to take time to discover and explore what's next.
In August 2023, Wong Ho Chung traveled to Italy to participate in the "TOR 330 Tor des Geants" race. The route circled the entire northern mountain range of Italy, covering a distance of 335.5 km with a total elevation gain of 29,608m. (Image source: Wong Ho-chung's Instagram)
#5 The trail running community is known for its support and friendship. How have you experienced the sense of community and connection within this sport?
Take my son for example - he recently participated in an inter-school athletics competition in the 1500m event. He and his teammate were deferring to each other, not even caring about crossing the finish line together. When I told him that the true spirit of sport is to compete wholeheartedly against your opponents, he reminded me that I had crossed the finish line hand-in-hand with another runner during the 2019 UTMB race in Chamonix, France. He didn't understand the difference between the two situations.
I explained to him that the spirit is different in trail running. In those extremely long distances, out in the unpredictable natural environment, you realize how small and insignificant we humans are. If everything is going well, you compete fairly. But if anyone encounters difficulties, you help each other out.
In that 2019 UTMB race, after 22 hours of competition, three other competitors and I were all striving for 6th to 9th place at the final checkpoint. In the last 10km, we even ran together. I had a fierce battle with another runner from Ecuador, even after I had taken a wrong turn and slightly sprained my foot, he would always ask how I was doing and whether I could continue together.
When we approached the finish line, we still gave it our all and left the two opponents behind us already. The final 90 seconds were particularly intense, and we could not decide the winner. We both acknowledged that our abilities were evenly matched. So, under the cheers of the crowd, we decided to cross the finish line together. That sense of friendship and camaraderie, on top of the competition, is what makes trail running so special to me.
After explaining all these, my son finally understood the difference between track and field versus trail running.
In the 2019 UTMB race, Wong Ho Chung's sons went to Chamonix to cheer him on. (Image source: 山と溪谷社)
Wong Ho Chung had a fierce battle with another runner from Ecuador, they eventually crossed the finish line together under the cheers of the crowd. Their finishing time was 22 hours, 47 minutes, and 48 seconds, which placed Wong Ho-chung in 6th position - the first Hong Kong runner to finish in the top 10 at UTMB. (Image source: 山と溪谷社)
#6 We know you’re actively giving back to the sports, and training the youth. How do you see your path in this?
With several years of experience as an athlete, I do sometimes feel a sense of loneliness. It’s not easy to find training partners who can keep up with my level of performance, and those around me might not always understand the experiences of training alone.
Some even see athletes as being almost “disconnected” because the speed and distance we can cover are beyond what they’re personally capable of.
Later, when I started getting involved in coaching work, I found a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment in designing programs for young athletes from a beginner's perspective, guiding them to overcome challenges and progress in their abilities.
In 2015, I founded a trail running club called THE PEAK HUNTER, and invested a lot of time into training programs. 2018 was a turning point, as I had the opportunity to work with a group of young people who had been part of “Police Superintendent's Discretion Scheme” and were considered marginalized.
I believed that trail running could help them grow in a positive direction, just as trail running had helped me find a positive path in life. Since trail running is such a great sport, I saw it as an excellent educational tool for young people.
After 2018, I made a concerted effort to develop youth-focused trail running programs. Our core YOUTH TEAM has 40 members and has been operating for 7 years, reaching around 500 young people annually. Some joined when they were 14 or 15 years old, and now even graduated from university, coming back to help as coaches.
This has realized my vision of passing on the legacy of trail running - I hope this excellent sport can be passed on to the next generation, creating an ongoing legacy and benefiting more and more young people.
In 2015, Wong Ho Chung founded THE PEAK HUNTER trail running club. He mentioned that their youth training program reaches out to 500 young people annually, with 40 core members. Seeing them grow and improve year after year, with their athletic performance constantly rising, creates a great sense of satisfaction for him, as it opens up more possibilities for the future of trail running. Wong also said that when he discussed topics with the youth members unrelated to running, he believed that these casual conversations were a wonderful complement to a fulfilling life. In the image, it's the YOUTH TEAM of THE PEAK HUNTER (Image source: THE PEAK HUNTER INSTAGRAM)
#7 How do you see the new generation or the community towards environmental protection?
My hope is to pass on the spirit of trail running to the next generation with an important part on how to protect our environment.
When I was 4, we lived in a small, temporary wooden hut the size of a portable toilet. By the time I was 6, we had moved to a slightly larger two-story home, but the living space was still cramped, about the same size. Sadly, a fire later burned down one of the transit housing areas, and we ended up moving to a public housing estate, where I grew up in modest circumstances.
In the public housing estate, I often saw many marginalized kids. Whenever I went to the sports field, there would be undesirable people hanging around. I had to choose between trying to befriend them or running away to protect myself. This made me realize that if I ever needed to escape, my only option would be to run away, through different environments, terrain, and paths - and this is how I developed my trail running skills.
Even now, when I visit my mother in the redeveloped neighborhood where I grew up (Sau On Estate, now called On Tat Estate after redevelopment), although the familiar rivers, trees, stairs, and rocks are gone, I can still faintly find traces of my childhood memories there. The loss of those natural spaces has made me even more determined to protect the environment and share my love of nature with the next generation through trail running.
Observing the redevelopment of the place I grew up in, I felt a sense of loss for the natural environment that once was there. Even before I discovered trail running, I loved nature. When I had children, I chose their names with the idea of protecting and respecting nature. Becoming a trail runner further strengthened my commitment to passing on this ethos of respecting and protecting the environment to the next generation.
This is why in our youth program, we don't just focus on athletic performance - we also emphasize moral development. One key component is environmental protection. We include hiking safety knowledge in our formal curriculum. We are arranging four practical courses per year, like hikes and beach cleanups, habitat restoration, and tree planting.
The goal is to cultivate environmental awareness in the next generation through these hands-on activities. We want them to develop a deep appreciation and respect for nature, not just as athletes, it's about nurturing the next generation of environmental champions.
Wong Ho Chung is a top trail runner and meanwhile, he is a father of three, he said that he also shoulders significant family responsibility, caring for and observing their personal growth. Witnessing his 15-year-old son, 13-year-old son, and the youngest one who is 8, he has certainly gained new insights from their development, and now cherishes the opportunity to walk alongside these adolescents on their paths. In this image, Wong Ho Chung with his wife and 3 sons. (Image Source: Wong Ho Chung's Facebook)
#8 How do you feel when seeing all the trashing on the trails?
We conduct statistics and data collection during the hike cleanup, and the most frequent types of trash we've encountered are plastic bags. Additionally, during the pandemic, we've also been finding a lot of masks and tissues.
Many of the tissues now have added plastic materials, which makes them more durable but also much harder to decompose naturally. Not only does that look unappealing in a natural environment, but the bags also have a significant environmental impact since they take a long time to break down.
The first impression towards these are dirty and unpleasant. Nature should be a lush, green environment filled with the natural colors of soil and stones - the random plastic bags and other trash just look so out of place and unnatural.
Even more concerning is how long these plastic products can take to fully decompose. During one of our cleanups, we actually found an intact plastic bottle from the 1980s! That just shows how much these materials can linger if they're not properly disposed of.
And there are also misconceptions about certain "natural" items like fruit peels. People think they can just throw those on the ground, but the truth is the decomposition time can vary a lot depending on factors like humidity and weather. Just because we don't see litter on the mountains doesn't mean it's gone - it's more likely that volunteers have cleaned it up.
That's why we organize these regular hike cleanups. It's not just about picking up the trash, but also educating people, especially young participants, about the principles of waste decomposition. We want to reinforce the message that the careless littering they see will be cleaned up by us, but also encourage them to be more mindful about their own waste habits.
I really believe this educational approach is so important. Young people are like blank slates, and with patient guidance, they can quickly absorb this knowledge and hopefully carry it with them as they grow up. Keeping our trails and natural spaces clean is a responsibility we all share.
(Image Source: Wong Ho Chung's Facebook)
#9 Become the brand’s first Asian pro athlete, how does NNormal align with your values and goals in trail running?
As an athlete sponsored by NNormal, I most appreciate the brand's slogan "Your Path, No Trace". This mission shares the same value as mine on environmental protection and the sustainable development of trail running. This slogan carries multiple meanings, at its core value of advocating for leaving no trace in nature and how to protect the environment.
After understanding their products, I found that NNormal indeed upholds this principle throughout their entire product range. For example, their shoes are extremely durable, and able to withstand my needs for long-distance trail running.
When I first encountered their shoes, I closely observed the structure, comfort, and functionality, such as the Megagrip outsole that enhances traction, and the sturdy sewing and construction, which gave me strong confidence in the shoe's longevity.
The NNormal running shoes I am wearing have undoubtedly endured my rigorous testing. From the moment I received them last December, I have worn them through 7different races, accumulating over 1,000km of use. Impressively, the tread pattern on the soles remains clearly visible, and the shoes have maintained excellent grip.
I have heard these shoes can withstand up to 1,700km of wear, so my testing continues and I am eager to determine whether they can achieve or even exceed at 1,700km mark.
On the day of the interview, Wong Ho Chung was wearing the Tomir from NNormal.
As an avid participant in long-distance trail running challenges, such as the 700 km GR5 and the 500 km, 5-day Project Endless events, having a pair of durable running shoes is crucial. It empowers me to successfully complete these races using just a single pair of shoes, almost as if I am wearing I can traverse the world.
Furthermore, in our modern society, we generate a large amount of waste, much of which consists of various plastic bags. If a more easily biodegradable alternative can be found that would be an advantageous solution. While I often reuse packaging bags, they inevitably end up as waste.
In contrast, NNormal's new eco-friendly packaging, the #INVISIBLEBAG, can be dissolved in hot water. Once it becomes liquid, pouring it down the drain poses no risk of causing any blockages. Even if it accidentally flows into a river, and is mistakenly consumed by fish, it remains non-toxic. This principle is similar to the medicine capsules, which can be safely broken down and absorbed by the human body without toxicity. This innovative approach can greatly reduce plastic waste and preserve our nature.
#10 You inspire others to pursue this sport. What advice would you give to someone who wants to start on their trail running journey?
For those new to trail running, I can share my own experiences. As an athlete with extensive trail running expertise, I previously emphasized more on athletic performance, often seeking scientific techniques to enhance speed, prevent injuries, and address recovery issues after training.
However, as my holistic understanding of trail running and its underlying systems has deepened, I now pay greater attention to these three aspects: first, safety; second, code of behaviour; and third, training methods. If we can achieve a balance across these three areas, I believe the sustainable development of trail running can be significantly elevated.
(Image Source: Wong Ho Chung's Instagram)
Learn more about Wong Ho Chung:
Wong Ho Chung (also known as Chung Sir) is a Hong Kong trail runner. He previously worked as a firefighter and a physical training instructor for the Fire Services Department, and in 2021 he left the firefighting career to fully dedicate himself to being a professional athlete and running coach.
He has participated in and achieved excellent results in various trail running competitions in Hong Kong and overseas. In recent years, he has focused on competing in international events such as UTMF (Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji), Lavaredo Ultra Trail, UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc), and MDS (Marathon des Sables in the Sahara Desert).
He is the Hong Kong Four Trails record holder, and in 2018 he completed The 4 Deserts Ultramarthon Series (the Namibia, Gobi March, Atacama, and Antarctica), winning the overall championship with three gold medals and one silver. In 2019, he placed 6th at the UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc).
In 2015, he founded THE PEAK HUNTER, a trail running club, aiming to promote proper hiking safety knowledge, and provide trail running training for all sports enthusiasts. Meanwhile, he has also developed many youth training programs, hoping to increase participation and skill level in Hong Kong trail running, as well as helping the youth with career planning, so that the passion for trail running can be passed on to the next generation, allowing Hong Kong trail running to continue to shine.
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Photos by Zachary Law
Athlete supporter: Crimson Brands
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