Elevation training pays dividends for Gilman in Hysan event

Sunday, 18 March 2012 11:44

HYSAN HEALTHY HIKE & RUN (5k-13k-21k), Tai Lam Country Park, New Territories, Hong Kong – RACE DAY SUNDAY MARCH 18 2012

Elevation training pays dividends as Gilman beats Hong Kong participants in the 21km

Hong Kong – Living at 2000m elevation in Kunming, Yunnan and training higher up to 2500m was one small advantage American Rudy Gilman used before coming to Hong Kong to compete in the 21km leg of the Hysan Healthy Hike & Run Sunday to take overall victory.

“Oh my god it was hot. Fantastic being first down the mountain forest section as I caught a few spider webs in the face. What a course as nicely designed. Very cool” said overall winner Gilmen finishing in 1 hour 55 minutes 33 seconds.

Very close on his heels and battling the whole way was Wong Ho Chung who finished 50 seconds later in 1 hour 56 minutes 23 seconds for the 21km.

“The weather really warmed up fast and that was brutal as I didn’t drink enough. Happy that a lot of the course was sheltered in the second half, but that was much harder than I thought” said 2^nd overall Wong.

The previous winner 2 years ago Seth Fisher grabbed 3^rd overall in 2 hours 35 seconds. “Just happy I finished. Very hot conditions” said Fisher.

Lucy Marriott in typical fashion, stormed in the heat to set a new course Women’s 21km record by taking over 10 minutes off the previous record winning in 2 hours 11 minutes 57 seconds.

“Great prizes as I love Crabtee and Evelyn and hope they can sponsor more races as Marriott said on the podium. Yes it was very hot, but the same for everyone” said Marriott.

Emma Drake grabbed second overall for the 21km women’s in 2 hours 21 minutes 59 seconds. “Being from Australia didn’t help today as it was hot, but enjoyed the course as very nice flowing. Hope to be back for more” said Drake.

Finishing a close 18 seconds later was Olya Korzh.

“Thanks to the sponsors as these kinds of prizes are always appreciated” said Korzh holding gifts from Berghaus from RC Outfitters and Crabtree and Evelyn who took 3^rd in the Women’s 21km event in 2 hours 22 minutes 17 seconds.

“This was my first Hong Kong race last year and thought it was a bit easy so I pushed really hard this year at the beginning and paid the price as dehydrated myself. Not easy when you run this 13km course hard as so many hills. Might think about 21km next year, said Jeannette Wang the overall Women’s winner in the 13km finishing in 1 hour 16 minutes 26 seconds.

Eleri Williams grabbed 2^nd in 1 hour 24 minutes 21 seconds while Lueng Yuen Yee placed 3^rd overall in 1 hour 26 minutes 40 seconds for the Women’s 13km.

“I’m what you call a road runner as this was the first trail race I’ve done due to my friends telling me about Action Asia Events as born in New York and arrived in HK in 2003. A bit scary as I really had no special plan, no strategy, only to do my best and surprised myself winning as wasn’t that confident after running alone after the 13 /21 split all the way to the finish. Maybe I’ll run some more of these trail races” said the 13km overall winner David Woo wining in 1 hour 6 minutes 16 seconds.

In the 5km event a Japanese 8 year old girl beat almost everyone older than her, flying to the Women’s overall victory in 34 minutes 41 seconds.

“This was my first win and 2^nd time I’ve done a trail walk like this. Kind of funny, but enjoyed it and will join again” said the Hong Kong resident Yuka Nagano who loves hiking and getting into the outdoors. Give her a few more years and we’re sure some coaches will be eyeing the young talent who certainly inspired some at the finish.

Almost 1000 participant registered in the 3rd annual Hysan Healthy Hike and Run in support of the Action Asia Foundation.

Temperatures shot up very high close to 30 Celsius in Tai Lam Country Park forcing many participants to drink more than then normal. Organizers still said participants didn’t drink enough.

“I’m always amazed when we see so much water after the race coming back from the water check points as it shows most participants are more concerned about their time than their bodies. Very encouraging seeing so many new hikers especially from Hysan who seemed to enjoy it encouraging many others to spend more time in the outdoors and not using electricity” said Michael Maddess the Race Director and Course Designer.

The Hysan Healthy Hike & Run had a 5km easy route with a few small hills on the trails, 13km intermediate route along the Tai Lam Chung Reservoir MacLehose stage 10 section and a 21km more technical route all the way around the reservoir taking in a 300m mountain stage, before a tree forest descent finishing on the historic Yuen Tsuen Ancient trail.

The event could not have happened without the generous support of Hysan, RC Outfitters, Crabtree & Evelyn, Escapade, Vitasoy, Gatorade, Dymocks, Seasons Fitness, Quick & Fresh, Action Asia Magazine, Garden, Sportsoho, St Johns Ambulance, OL&N, Coors Light and the Action Asia Foundation.

End….

Map of courses on official website www.actionasiaevents.com

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21km Mens Overall Top 3