The Cold Half Marathon Relay (15 km), held on 25 January 2026 in Hong Kong, marked the culmination of a structured progression of open-water swimming events. This build-up began with the SSPA 1500 m on 7 December 2025, followed by the Swimathon 10 km in Pattaya on 21 December 2025, before leading into this cold-water relay challenge.
This event was the second cold-water swim experience for the team, following participation in the Cold Plunge 1.5 km in Hong Kong the previous year. The Cold Half Marathon Relay was selected as part of long-term preparation toward an English Channel Relay planned for 2027—one of the most iconic open-water swimming challenges, often compared to Mount Everest for climbers or the Boston Marathon for runners.
Cold-water swimming presents a unique challenge beyond distance alone. While fitness and speed are essential, water temperature and acclimatisation play a critical role. Hong Kong remains one of the closest and most suitable training venues in the region for cold-water preparation, making it an ideal location for this phase of training.
Training and Preparation
Regular training sessions began well ahead of the event, including early-morning weekday swims at the ATS Masters program at Raffles Institution Pool, complemented by weekend sessions following coaching commitments. This consistent routine significantly improved overall fitness and readiness for cold-water conditions.
One open-water swim in December, combined with the January relay, provided valuable exposure and confidence in meeting the physical demands and cutoff requirements of the 15 km relay format.
Team Formation
Felicia and Coach Tang were on their way going to repulse Bay outside their hotel for cold plunge last year , so they met someone on the bus and seems like she is also going to the event as she looks sporty and look like a swimmer. Coach Tang approach the lady and they know each other and the lady is their team mate Carolyn Ranger from Canada based in HK recently. That is how bus buddies , the team name comes about.
The relay team came together through a chance meeting at the Cold Plunge event in Hong Kong in 2025. Following that race, the swimmers stayed in contact and agreed to step up to the relay category for the 2026 edition.
Acclimatisation Swims in Hong Kong
The team arrived in Hong Kong on Wednesday, 21 January, allowing time for acclimatisation.
22 January: The first open-water swim took place at Repulse Bay under overcast conditions. Air temperature was approximately 15°C, with water temperature around 18°C. Despite the cold, a controlled 900 m swim was completed to ease into the conditions.
Later that evening, a pool session was held, featuring a demanding endurance set designed to build confidence and rhythm.
23 January: The team went for another open water swim another 800 m swim at Deep Water Bay
24 January: A final open-water swim at Deep Water Bay was completed under much improved weather conditions, with sunshine and an air temperature of 23°C. Water temperature remained at 18°C. This session allowed for a longer, more comfortable swim and final fine-tuning before race day.
The team stayed at Stanley Oriental Hotel, conveniently located within walking distance of the race start, allowing for proper rest and race-day preparation.
Race Day
Race day conditions were challenging. Strong winds and choppy seas greeted swimmers at the start. The relay began at 9:00 a.m., with swimmers rotating every 30 minutes.
The opening leg proved especially demanding due to the cold and rough conditions, though adaptation improved as the race progressed. Despite the challenging sea state, the team maintained steady pacing and smooth transitions throughout the event.
Results
The team completed the 15 km Cold Half Marathon Relay in 5 hours and 30 minutes, finishing 8th overall and securing 1st place in the Mixed Relay category.
Conclusion
The Cold Half Marathon Relay served as a significant milestone in cold-water endurance preparation. The experience reinforced confidence in fitness, pacing, and cold-water management, marking an important step forward toward the English Channel Relay goal in 2028.
