5 Days. 500 kilometers.
Across Iceland for youth running development.
We aim to create a documentary about Project Island and need your help to hire a crew to produce the Project iceland documentary.
Donate $500 or more and receive a pair of exclusive Project Endless Iceland limited-edition T8 pants as a token of our gratitude. Plus, your name will be proudly featured in the credits at the end of the film!
Please donate today and be part of the journey!
Amid the unprecedented global disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when virtually all races were suspended, Hong Kong’s elite trail runner Wong Ho Chung initiated the “Project Endless” Hong Kong edition. This was an extraordinary five-day self-challenge, covering approximately 100 kilometres daily and totaling 500 kilometres. The route circumnavigated Hong Kong’s Lantau Island, the New Territories, Kowloon, and Hong Kong Island, encompassing a diverse array of urban and rural landmarks, with a cumulative elevation gain of around 13,760 metres.
Central to this challenge was the ethos of “democratised” self-sufficiency. Wong carried a modest 2.5-kilogram pack throughout, relying on local shops for resupply and resting overnight in public facilities or safe locations, deliberately eschewing costly or specialised support. Through this approach, he sought to promote a more equitable and low-cost trail running culture, while honing his endurance and skills for future ultra-distance challenges abroad.
Wong leveraged the challenge to raise funds supporting youth running development, aiming to instil healthy lifestyles and resilience among young people.
In 2023-2025, Wong Ho Chung spent more time on his kids, social projects and elderly in his family and had to scale back his running ambitions. However, there are still two things he would like to do:
- one is to cross the land of fire and ice, and
- the other is to promote cross-country running to the youth.
Therefore in July 2025, Wong Ho Chung will embark on a sequel to “Project Endless”, “Project Endless – Iceland Stage”.
He will walk 500 kilometers in five days, self-supported.
Wong will cut through the middle of the island, through volcanic deserts, glacial rivers and moss-covered lava fields.
Throughout his journey Wong Ho Chung will use WayMe for safety and tracking, enabling trail running fans around the world to share in the adventure and potentially contribute to Wong Ho Chung’s charity project.
Most importantly, in the process he willl raise funds for the promotion of youth cross-country running.
My dream was to be a “great” runner. I have learned that “People do different things at different times and in different stages." After realizing the reality, I still choose to pursue my dream with limited space.
This is where Chung is NOW ↓
On Chung’s remote route safety is a critical consideration. That’s why Chung uses the recently launched WayMe App. WayMe helps athletes stay on course and safe throughout their journey and their fans to track them live – a feature you can see in action above!
Download from the Apple App Store or Android’s Play Store.
Expedition Schedule
500 kilometers.
5 days of epic running.
Day 1
18/07/2025
6 AM Iceland, 2PM HK
110km 1500+
Keflavik International Airport to Selfies
Day 2
19/07/2025
6 AM Iceland, 2PM HK
100km 600+
Seflies to Hrauneyjar
Day 3
20/07/2025
6 AM Iceland, 2PM HK
110k 1300+
Hrauneyjar to Nyidalur
Day 4
21/07/2025
6 AM Iceland, 2PM HK
100km 800+
Nyidalur to Myri
Day 5
22/07/2025
6 AM Iceland, 2PM HK
80k 800+
Myri to Akureyri
Project Endless - Iceland Stage: Expedition Map
The Project Endless – Iceland Stage route traverses Iceland from the southwest to the northeast, covering a total distance of over 500 kilometers.
The challenge starts in the capital, Reykjavik, and finishes in Akureyri, passing through highlands, volcanic areas, glaciers, and vast wilderness, including Vatnajökull National Park.
Highly varied terrain, featuring gravel roads, sandy stretches, river crossings, and unpaved mountain trails, demands exceptional physical fitness and equipment.
Wong Ho Chung will encounter unpredictable weather, with strong winds, low temperatures, and the possibility of sudden storms.
The remote course allows only for limited resupply and support, requiring outstanding endurance and wilderness survival skills. It is a true test of limits and an ultimate adventure.
Life is short, and it’s important to find meaning in what we do.
For me, trail running is a way to challenge myself and inspire others.
I encourage everyone to discover their own passions and pursue them wholeheartedly.
— Wong Ho Chung
What motivated you to start Project Endless?
Wong Ho Chung:
After completing the Four Trails race, I wanted to explore what the longest distance on land was. During my research, I discovered a route from South Africa to South America, spanning 40,000 kilometres. It felt overwhelming, but I learned about a runner who started this challenge in 1998 at the age of 28 and now almost 60 years old, he is still pursuing it. I see such challenges as inspiring, but I realized I needed to find something more achievable for myself, with the time I have that could also inspire others to do similar adventures.
So, I decided to create my own challenge. I found that a five-day, 500-kilometer run was a good format to test my limits and something that fits my strengths as a runner. I had performed well in 100 kilometer and 100 mile races before. The first edition of Project Endless took place in May 2022, where I ran 500 km over five days.
What inspired you to choose Iceland as your next challenge?
Wong Ho Chung:
After my first (Hong Kong) edition of Project Endless, I still had a dream, I wanted to cross both a hot country and a cold country. So, after hot Hong Kong, for my second edition, I chose Iceland—a five-day, 500-kilometer self-supported run across the island.
Iceland is perfect for this project. The route I designed starts at the airport and crosses the island to another side. It’s challenging because of the varying terrain and cold climate. The idea is to carry everything I need in a backpack weighing less than 8 kilograms. I’ll bring items like a sleeping bag, food, emergency gear, and some money to use along the way. I plan to start this challenge on July 18th.
How did you prepare for this expedition?
Preparing for the XPD required both mental and physical resilience. First and foremost, I needed to develop mental toughness to endure the extreme challenges of the expedition. Physically, I trained by carrying a heavy backpack, incorporating back-to-back training sessions, and camping in the mountains to simulate real conditions. This also allowed me to test all my gear to ensure it was reliable for the journey.
To build endurance and strength, I focused on long climbing sessions to gain elevation, often tackling steep and technical terrains to improve my ability to navigate difficult sections. Additionally, I made two trips to Taiwan, where I hiked and camped in the high mountains. This gave me firsthand experience of the terrain, weather conditions, and overall challenges, helping me better understand what to expect during the expedition.
Why do you prefer self-supported challenges?
Wong Ho Chung:
I want to show that anyone can take on such challenges without a large support team or commercial sponsors. You can do it by yourself, starting from the airport with just a backpack.
For instance, I’ll carry 10,000 calories worth of food, lightweight gear, and emergency supplies like a sleeping bag and waterproof clothing. If I find a hotel or restaurant, I’ll use those facilities. If not, I’ll camp outdoors. It’s all about being resourceful and adaptable.
How do you prepare physically and mentally for such challenges?
Wong Ho Chung:
Physically, I focus on endurance runs, often running twice a day. I assess my body regularly, using time trials to measure my fitness. For example, I’ll do a 10K time trial to compare my performance to my personal best. I also plan long runs, like a 70K session, to build my endurance base.
In June, I aim to run 600 kilometres as part of my preparation. This includes tapering in the final days to ensure I’m fully rested before the challenge.
Mentally, I remind myself why I’m doing this. It’s not easy to balance challenges with limited funding and support, but I take it step by step. Feedback from others, especially messages like “I started running because of your story,” motivates me to keep going.
What equipment will you use for the Project Endless Iceland challenge?
Wong Ho Chung:
I keep my gear minimal and effective. My backpack will be 18–25 litres, carrying essentials like:
- Waterproof jacket and pants.
- A sleeping bag and emergency blanket.
- Enough food for three days (10,000 calories initially).
- A phone for navigation and another for taking photos/videos.
- A power ban
- My Coros GPS watch with long battery life.
- An action camera
- Running clothing (by T8)
- Shoes durable enough to handle 500 kilometres. (by NNormal)
- For clothing, I carry only one spare set.
A big shout out to my sponsors for providing the equipment needed to make this possible.
How do you plan to document the journey?
Wong Ho Chung:
A small team, including my wife and a few cameramen, will accompany me in two cars. They’ll sleep in the cars or camp in tents when necessary. The challenge will be recorded to create a documentary. This helps inspire others to take on their own challenges, raise funds for my charity and promote the beauty of Iceland.
We’re also raising funds to cover film crew expenses like airfare, new equipment, and production costs. Supporters who contribute over HKD500 will receive special Iceland-themed T8 running shorts and will be credited in the documentary.
Your challenges and your charity work seem to inspire many. Could you share more about that?
Wong Ho Chung:
Yes, I’ve met people who told me they started running after watching my documentaries, and that is incredibly rewarding. Beyond personal achievements, my goal is to inspire others to pursue their dreams, no matter how big or small.
I also run a charity called The Peak Hunter Foundation, which focuses on projects that promote trail running among teenagers. Our aim is to help them build confidence, resilience, and essential life skills. For those from low-income families or with special needs, we provide free training programs to ensure they have access to the support they need.
What's next after iceland?
Wong Ho Chung:
Every three years, I plan to take on a major project. After Iceland, I’m considering Jordan—a 500-kilometer run from north to south, crossing deserts and breathtaking landscapes.
Of course, I can’t guarantee everything will go as planned. Safety and adaptability are my top priorities. Even if I face unexpected difficulties or fail to complete the challenge, the lessons learned will be valuable. This is a real challenge, not a scripted movie.
What's next after iceland?
Wong Ho Chung:
Life is short, and it’s important to find meaning in what we do. For me, trail running is a way to challenge myself and inspire others. I encourage everyone to discover their own passions and pursue them wholeheartedly.
You can follow my journey on Instagram or learn more about The Peak Hunter Foundation and its programs for teenagers.
MEET WONG HO CHUNG
Wong Ho Chung is one of Hong Kong’s premier trail runners, having represented the city multiple times at international competitions, including the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships and the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB). He has twice finished in the top 10 at UTMB, with a personal best of 22 hours and 47 minutes, establishing himself as one of Asia’s elite athletes. In 2022, he shattered the Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge (298 km) record with a time of 46 hours and 55 minutes, becoming the first runner ever to complete the race within two days. Additionally, Wong serves as captain of the Hong Kong national team, leading them at the Asia-Pacific Trail Running Championships, where he demonstrates both leadership and competitive excellence.
Beyond his athletic achievements, Wong is deeply committed to charitable and community work. For three consecutive years, he has organized the “PEAK RUNNER ,” a school-based trail running event at Sham Wan Shan in Kwun Tong, attracting over 350 young participants. Through this initiative, he promotes healthy living and nurtures the next generation of runners. Family remains a cornerstone of his life; his three sons are accomplished runners themselves and often compete alongside him, embodying the spirit of a sporting family.
As a high-performance athlete, Wong’s training regimen is rigorous and disciplined. He once completed the 700-kilometre GR5 route in France solo as preparation for UTMB, showcasing extraordinary endurance and mental resilience. Throughout numerous extreme races, he has overcome harsh weather and challenging terrains, exemplifying remarkable physical and psychological fortitude. Guided by values of perseverance, focus, and self-discipline, Wong seamlessly integrates family, community, and sport, becoming a beacon and source of inspiration within Hong Kong’s trail running scene.
Follow Wong Ho Chung on Instagram.
Find Wong Ho Chung’s ITRA profile here.
Please help kids from special backgrounds
Founded in 2022, The Peak Hunter Foundation is dedicated to promoting trail running among Hong Kong’s youth, with a particular focus on young people from special backgrounds, such as those under police supervision and youth with special educational needs (SEN). Through offering structured trail running training programmes, the foundation helps these young individuals cultivate positive and proactive mindsets, while providing career guidance related to running, nurturing potential athletes and coaches.
The foundation also actively builds youth running teams—the Peak Hunter Youth Team—through social media and community initiatives, encouraging greater youth participation in trail running, fostering healthy lifestyles, and strengthening community bonds. Overall, The Peak Hunter Foundation utilises running as a vehicle to integrate athletic training, psychological support, and career development, aiming to enhance the quality of life and future prospects of young people.
In addition, the foundation is proactive in fundraising to support youth trail running training, leveraging races and challenge events such as Wong Ho Chung ’s 500-kilometre “Project Endless” challenge to raise funds for youth running development.
The Endless Project - Iceland is supported by
