HONG KONG, Oct 30 – Philippine trail-running champion John Ray Onifa, popularly known as “Stingray”, will join Hong Kong’s Barclays MoonTrekker 2026 to support nature conservation through The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) Run for Nature initiative.
Onifa, the reigning men’s Asia Trail Master Championship Final champion, will take part alongside returning competitor Gildas Humeau, who won the Mixed Pair category in 2025.
The event will take place on October 30 and 31 across the rugged trails of Lantau Island. Participants will navigate the routes overnight, with the challenge of reaching Lantau Peak before sunrise.
Elite Runners Support Nature Conservation
Onifa returns to Barclays MoonTrekker for his third appearance. He previously won the event in 2018 and 2023.
Earlier this year, he also secured the men’s Asia Trail Master Championship Final title in Hong Kong.
Onifa said trail running offers more than a physical challenge. He believes the natural landscapes that inspire runners deserve protection and care.
Through the Run for Nature initiative, he hopes to encourage more people to explore the outdoors and support conservation efforts.
Meanwhile, Humeau will return for his seventh Barclays MoonTrekker appearance. After winning the Mixed Pair category last year, he will compete as a solo runner in the 2026 edition.
Barclays MoonTrekker Marks 11-Year Conservation Partnership
This year’s event marks 11 years of partnership between Barclays MoonTrekker and The Nature Conservancy, which remains the event’s sole charity beneficiary partner.
Over the years, funds raised through participants, donors, volunteers and corporate teams have supported conservation projects across Asia Pacific.
In Hong Kong, TNC has established two restoration sites in Deep Bay to protect important biodiversity areas and support climate resilience.
In Indonesia’s Riau Islands, the organisation and its local partner, Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara, have helped secure protection for 840,000 hectares of marine and coastal areas.
These areas include coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass habitats that support marine life and local communities.
In Borneo, TNC and its partners have also expanded sustainable forest management initiatives, covering 87,000 hectares of tropical forest through protection and improved management.
Three Trail Routes Available for Participants
Barclays MoonTrekker 2026 offers three route options for participants:
- 20km Intro Route: Designed for first-time participants.
- 30km Moonlit Route: An overnight trail challenge that includes Lantau Peak.
- 40km Sunrise Route: A longer endurance challenge that also reaches Lantau Peak.
The event welcomes runners, hikers, outdoor enthusiasts and corporate teams. Participants can also support the conservation initiative through volunteering and fundraising.
Since its launch in 2009, Barclays MoonTrekker has raised more than US$2.6 million for children’s education and environmental conservation.
Running for a Greater Cause
The Nature Conservancy said the partnership demonstrates how outdoor events can encourage people to take part in environmental protection.
As climate change and biodiversity loss continue to affect ecosystems and communities, the initiative aims to turn participants’ efforts into practical conservation support across the region.
Source : PR NEWSWIRE | Rewritten By Minutesmy
