Park Bo-gum Eyes Hong Kong Trail Running After Drawing Crowds in Admiralty

From a packed mall to hopes of running Hong Kong's hills

South Korean actor Park Bo-gum has expressed interest in taking on a running challenge in Hong Kong after completing his first full marathon in Berlin in under five hours. Speaking at a brand event at Pacific Place in Admiralty on October 15, he said he would need sufficient fitness and training before attempting a local race.

More than 1,000 fans were estimated to have gathered, although another estimate put attendance at several hundred. Crowds occupied three floors of the shopping mall before his appearance at about 3.45pm, with fans already filling the venue before 2pm.

Park's interest extended beyond racing. He also wanted to explore Hong Kong's hiking routes, asking the event host for suggestions. His short visit left little room for an outing, so he hoped to return for a closer look at the city's countryside.

A March trail challenge featured in his remarks, while other descriptions of the exchange identified the race under discussion as the Hong Kong Marathon. Park did not announce an entry or a chosen distance. The North Face's official calendar separately lists its Hong Kong trail event for March 19 to 21, 2027, with races ranging from 14 kilometres to 100 kilometres.

A Cantonese greeting for fans across three floors

Park arrived wearing a blue down coat and greeted the crowd in Cantonese. The welcome, the photographs and his time spent signing autographs made the appearance more than a brief stage interview.

The actor, returning to Hong Kong after about a year, thanked fans for turning out. Describing his reaction to seeing the crowd, Park said:

I'm very happy to be back in Hong Kong after a year. It's great to see everyone. Thank you so much for coming and filling up the whole space.

During the photograph session, Park made heart gestures and victory signs, bowed to supporters and sat on the floor for a group picture. Before leaving, he walked around the venue, waving and signing autographs close to the crowd.

Park also shared a simpler side of his wardrobe preferences. Away from the varied looks he wears on screen, he said he preferred casual, comfortable clothes. He closed the appearance by wishing fans good health and happy experiences before their next meeting, and invited the audience to applaud the host.

Berlin experience, with training still the priority

Park's recent Berlin Marathon gave his comments about running a concrete starting point. He completed his first full marathon, a distance of 42.195 kilometres, in less than five hours. He also enjoys running and hiking in his spare time.

A road marathon and a trail race place different demands on a runner. Trails can involve uneven ground, climbs and descents, so distance alone gives only part of the picture. A shorter route through hills can require careful pacing and different preparation from a race on roads.

Park made training a condition of any attempt. Asked about participating in a Hong Kong race, the actor said:

I'd really like to participate, but I need to have sufficient stamina and training. If I get the chance, I'd like to give it a try.

His interest in hiking was more immediate and less competitive. The host suggested routes near Admiralty, describing them as convenient and scenic. Park thanked the host and said he hoped to visit the recommended places on another trip.

What the March trail event actually offers

The North Face's official event announcement places its 2027 Hong Kong races at Wishing Tree in Lam Tsuen, Tai Po. The programme includes individual distances of 14, 27, 55 and 100 kilometres, together with a relay covering 100 kilometres.

The organiser divides the programme into two levels. The Adventure Level contains the 14 and 27 kilometre events. The Summit Level contains the 55 and 100 kilometre individual races and the relay. An ultramarathon is a race longer than the standard marathon distance, putting both the 55 and 100 kilometre individual events in that category.

The newly introduced 27 kilometre course passes Pak Tai To Yan, Dragon Hill and Cloudy Hill. The organiser describes it as having a relatively gentle elevation profile and long runnable stretches, intended for people who already have some trail running experience and want a tougher challenge.

For scale, 100 kilometres is more than twice the 42.195 kilometres Park completed in Berlin. The 27 kilometre route is shorter than a marathon, but its three named peaks make preparation for climbing and descending part of the task.

The dates runners need to know

The organiser lists public registration as opening on August 10, 2026, at 4pm, with places allocated in order of registration. Reduced rates for individual entries run through September 13, 2026. The races then take place across three days in March 2027.

• August 10, 2026: Public registration opens at 4pm.
• September 13, 2026: The reduced entry price period for individual races ends.
• March 19, 2027: The 27 kilometre race starts at 11am. The 100 kilometre individual race and relay start at 10pm.
• March 20, 2027: The 55 kilometre race starts at 8am.
• March 21, 2027: The 14 kilometre race starts at 9am.

The late start for the 100 kilometre events puts the opening part of those races at night. That schedule adds another practical consideration for entrants assessing which distance suits their experience.

Entry costs, age limits and prizes

Individual entry prices range from HK$380 for the 14 kilometre race during the reduced price period to HK$1,650 for a standard 100 kilometre entry. The shorter race rises to HK$480 after the discount period. The 27 kilometre race costs HK$480 initially and HK$580 at the standard rate.

The 55 kilometre race costs HK$750 during the reduced price period and HK$900 afterwards. The corresponding prices for the 100 kilometre individual race are HK$1,400 and HK$1,650. Entry for a relay team costs HK$1,800.

Participants must be at least 18 on race day for the 27, 55 and 100 kilometre events, including the relay. The minimum age for the 14 kilometre race is 15. Entrants younger than 18 must provide consent from a parent or legal guardian when registering.

The organiser lists 500 places each for the 27 and 100 kilometre individual races, 1,100 for the 55 kilometre race and 100 relay teams. Its page gives two capacities for the 14 kilometre race, 1,200 in the main tables and 1,100 in one repeated English table, leaving that category's limit unclear.

A total cash prize pool of HK$60,000 is allocated across the top three male and female finishers in the 100 kilometre individual race. The leading finishers in the other individual distances and the relay receive shopping vouchers, with further prizes listed for other high finishers.

Why Hong Kong's countryside fits the conversation

The Hong Kong Tourism Board's trail running guide describes a city with 1,108 square kilometres of land, nearly three quarters of it countryside, and 24 country parks. That gives visitors a different setting from the shops and dense streets around Park's Admiralty appearance.

Four major hiking routes provide a combined 298 kilometres of trails: the MacLehose Trail at 100 kilometres, Wilson Trail at 78, Hong Kong Trail at 50 and Lantau Trail at 70. The board says all four can be reached by public transport.

The routes also show how widely the countryside is spread. The MacLehose Trail runs from Pak Tam Chung in Sai Kung to Tuen Mun. The Hong Kong Trail crosses Hong Kong Island from The Peak to Tai Long Wan, while the Lantau Trail forms a loop starting and ending in Mui Wo.

Hong Kong's organised trail running history includes the annual Oxfam Trailwalker, which began in 1986 along the MacLehose Trail. The tourism board also lists TransLantau by UTMB among the city's events and describes it as a qualifying race for UTMB competition.

Preparation means more than choosing a distance

The tourism board advises runners to study a route and its elevation before setting out. Elevation describes how much a course rises and falls, an important consideration when comparing a hillside route with a road race.

Its guidance recommends shoes with suitable grip, clothing for changing weather, sufficient water and food, and fully charged communication devices with GPS and map functions. Beginners are advised to join a group, avoid running alone and stay away from dangerous places such as cliffs and flowing streams.

Signposts, distance markers and emergency call stations help runners navigate the countryside, according to the board. Park's own focus on fitness and training fits the practical decision any prospective entrant faces: choosing a route that matches their preparation, available time and experience.

Key Points

• Park Bo-gum greeted fans in Cantonese at Pacific Place in Admiralty on October 15 and spent time posing for photographs and signing autographs.
• After completing his first Berlin Marathon in under five hours, he expressed interest in a Hong Kong running challenge, subject to sufficient training.
• The North Face lists its Hong Kong trail event for March 19 to 21, 2027, in Tai Po, with individual distances from 14 to 100 kilometres and a relay.
• Registration is scheduled to open on August 10, 2026, at 4pm, with reduced individual entry prices through September 13.
• Hong Kong's four major hiking trails total 298 kilometres, and the tourism board advises careful route planning, suitable equipment and running with others.