Race Media

For the Salgados, a love for trail runs in the family

Weather clears for the Brazilian family and participants of the
C3fit Bonaqua Action Sprint Trail Series finale in Sai Kung

Sai Kung, HONG KONG, Saturday May 6, 2017 – Some families bond by watching TV and shopping together, but the Salgados prefer to run together in the mountains. This morning, as the weather brightened up after days of rain, the Salgado family raced together in the 12-kilometre mixed-terrain C3fit Bonaqua Sprint Trail Series Sai Kung.

After 2 hours 4 minutes and 37 seconds, Cindy Salgado crossed the finish line with her husband and nine-year-old daughter, Sofie. For Cindy, a mother-of-two with a full-time job in the hotel industry, trail running is the most important bonding time for her family.

“I have been doing trail running on and off for over 10 years. A few years ago, I was cheering on my husband and my kids at different races, but now my kids are getting faster and faster and I thought it’s time for me to get back to racing again so that I can keep up with them,” said Cindy.

The Salgados were among more than 300 participants in the third and final leg of the C3fit Bonaqua Action Sprint Series. Irish runner Brian Mcflynn was the overall champion in 1:02:23, while Australian Sherrin Loh grabbed the women’s title in 1:15:22.

Though the Salgados may have finished about an hour behind the winners, Cindy said the satisfaction of crossing the line with her loved ones was still immense.
“Sport brings my family together,” said Cindy. “As a family, we rarely watch TV or go shopping together, so sports are what we do the most as a family during weekends and trail running is something that we can all enjoy. The satisfaction and happiness I feel when I cross the finish line together with my family is huge.”

Cindy has loved doing sports ever since she was kid and that passion has rubbed off on her children. Sofie started to swim when she was six months old and picked up soccer when she turned three. Sofie’s six-year-old brother also does different sports with the family.

“Few years ago, my kids would complain in the middle of a hike and really struggle to go on because they were too tired. In the mountains, they have learned that they can’t give up or turn back because it’s the same distance for you to finish the hike as turning back,” Cindy said. “When there’s an opportunity, I let them try different sports such as soccer, swimming, cycling, etc. They have total freedom to choose because I want them to enjoy what they do. The ‘never give up’ sports spirit has taught them life-long lessons and now I have really witnessed their growth.”

Cindy and Sofie Salgado in action during the race. They crossed the line in 2:04:37.

Brian Mcflynn, the overall champion (1:02:23) of the C3fit Bonaqua Sprint Trail Series – Sai Kung finished second at the previous two legs in Repulse Bay and Discovery Bay last month, said he really enjoyed the course. “I started the race quite well and tried to keep it steady going up the hills because it was quite hot. I tried to take it up a bit on the downhills, but I was definitely feeling the heat today. I only started to run on trails after I moved to Hong Kong in 2015 and have done quite a few short races, so I hope to try longer courses this year and maybe get up to 50km eventually,” said Mcflynn.

Mo Devlin, from Scotland, was second (1:06:19). Before joining trail running races, he was a competitive marathon runner. Craving for more exciting adventures, he started Skyrunning and explored more beautiful areas in Hong Kong. “I really appreciate the opportunity to run on such an attractive course. Thanks to Action Asia Events for organising such an amazing race. Trail running is always interesting and exciting because even though there’s fierce competition, everyone is friendly and helpful. I really enjoyed the race,” Devlin said.

Third place went to the local runner Gump Wong (1:07:51), who always joins Action Asia Events races with his father. He also came third in the Repulse Bay leg and this was his fifth time joining the C3fit Bonaqua Action Sprint Series. “I did not expect myself to get any good ranking before. I remember the very first time I participated in the Sprint series, the award ceremony was already completed when I finished my race. I am very satisfied with my performance today,” said Wong.

For women’s champion Loh, the win – a first for her – came as a surprise. “In fact, I struggled with the race and it was really hard for me to keep a good pace,” Loh said. With 10 years’ experience in trail running, Loh said doing the sport was the most important way for her to relax. The mother-of-two often participates in races with her husband, who is also a great trail runner. Lately her kids have started trail running as well.
Sherrin Loh claimed the champion of women group in 1:15:22

Wendy Porterfield from the United States, who has been living in Hong Kong for four years, was second woman (1:21:16). Her brother Justin Andrews, a top trail runner, introduced her to trail running and she said it has changed her life.

“It is my favourite thing to do in Hong Kong and is also great bonding time for my family. I train every week with my husband. I also train with my brother when he comes to Hong Kong. Trail running has been something so fun to share together as a family,” said Porterfield. “My husband and I did a recce of this course three weeks ago and that was very helpful for me in today’s race. I really liked the course and the scenery was beautiful but I tried my best to not look at it too much so that I could focus on the race.”

French runner Charlotte Taquet was third among the women (1:26:48). She started trail running when she moved to Hong Kong three years ago, after encouragement from her friends. “I really enjoy training with them and racing with them. Today I was running with six friends in the race,” Taquet said. “Although it was hot, the race was great and I especially loved the second part of the course because it was cooler and the scenery was beautiful.”

The C3fit Bonaqua Action SPRINT Trail Series has been held for the past 14 years, and race organiser Action Asia Events is dedicated to showcasing diversified and challenging routes that take participants to lesser-known places in the territory. Suitable for all ages and abilities, the races are a great opportunity for challenging oneself physically and mentally.
The series is possible due to the generous support of presenting sponsor C3fit and Bonaqua and supporting partners Action X Store, HOKA ONE ONE, OL&N, AQUARIUS, SALONSIP and the Action Asia Foundation.

 
Race Results

Top 5 Men
Name - Nationality - Time
1. Brian Mcflynn – Ireland – 1:02:23
2. Mo Devlin – Great Britain – 1:06:19
3. Gump Wong– Hong Kong – 1:07:51
4. Pak To Lai – Australia – 1:09:05
5. Gary Lew– Hong Kong – 1:12:50

Top 5 Women
1.Sherrin Loh– Australia – 1:15:22
2. Wendy Porterfield – United States – 1:21:16
3. Charlotte Taquet – France – 1:26:48
4. Kate Pallett– Australia – 1:32:17
5. Fely Bejuna – Philippines – 1:32:22

ALL RESULTS AT http://www.actionasiaevents.com/results.html

Race Info

Event Name: C3fit Bonaqua Action SPRINT Trail Series – Sai Kung
Date: May 6, 2017 (Saturday)
Start Time: 8:00 am
Start Location: Pak Tam Chung P.H.A.B. Site, Pak Tam Chung, Sai Kung, Hong Kong
Distance: 12 km
Category: Hiking and Trail Running
Website: www.actionasiaevents.com

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