Hong Kong teacher Brian McFlynn delivers Moontrekker field a lesson in ultra-running tactics
Endurance ace works his way up from the back of the pack to pass Jeff Campbell in the last section and take first place
Brian McFlynn was nowhere to be seen in the early stages of the Barclays Moontrekker 43km ultra marathon. But, after the first check point he began to make his way up the field, eventually moving into first place with only a few kilometres to spare and holding on for victory.
The Moontrekker, a 43km night ultra marathon across Lantau Island, began on Friday with McFlynn finishing in the early hours of Saturday. It involves many climbs, notably up Lantau Peak. There is also a 30km race.
“I purposely took it slow up to the first check point,” McFlynn told the Post. “I knew the downhills would be my strength so I saved myself for them.”
Jeff Campbell came second, despite leading for most the race. He took a heavy fall around 15km, and was nursing a lump on his thigh described by a physiotherapist as “the size of a golf ball”.
“I knew I’d taken a hit, but I didn’t realise how bad it was,” Campbell said. “When my leg began to hurt, I just thought that it was because I was just running really fast and far. ”
The conditions were cooler than recent weeks in Hong Kong, helped by a stiff breeze. The runners set off at 8.30pm, with a front pack immediately stretching off into the distance.
