Race Media

2017/18 MSIG HK50 Series

Oct 21, 2017 - MSIG HK50 – Hong Kong Island

Dec 01, 2017 - MSIG Lantau VK – Lantau

Dec 03, 2017 - Asian Skyrunning Championships - MSIG Lantau 50

Feb 10, 2018 - MSIG Sai Kung 50 – Sai Kung

MSIG HK50, Hong Kong’s most prestigious trail race series, kicks off with HK Island leg

Region’s top trail runners will fight for points and honours in the official
International Skyrunning Federation race

National trail running champions from the region are set to toe the line in the first leg of the annual MSIG HK50 Series, which flags off from the Peak on Hong Kong Island this Saturday, October 21, 2017. Elite Asian runners including Alvin Png, winner of 2017 MSIG Singapore National Award, Guo Wan-ting, female champion of 2015 MSIG Taiwan Action Asia 50, and Taiwanese elite Chou Ching will take on the 50-kilometre challenge alongside trail enthusiasts from around the world.

An official race of the International Skyrunning Federation, the 50km event is also one of the scoring races for the recently-launched MSIG Action Asia Development Programme, which aims to develop local trail running talent for the world stage. The top-placed male and female Hong Kong-born runners will also win free entry and accommodation for the MSIG Thailand Action Asia 50 in Chiang Mai on December 17, 2017.

Similar to previous editions, the classic and challenging course starts from the Peak Galleria and covers some of the most technical hilly trails along Hong Kong Island. The first 24km follows the Hong Kong Trail from the Peak to Wong Nai Chung Gap, with the exception of an additional loop of Mount Bennet in Aberdeen Country Park. The course then gets more technical and challenging, with a big loop around and up Mount Parker, followed by a loop of Violet Hill, finishing at Wong Nai Chung Gap. Participants will have to conquer a total 2,802m elevation gain and 2,990m elevation loss.

For less experienced runners, there is the option of just completing the first 24km. The shorter course is a great introduction to the MSIG HK50 series, since it consists mostly of runnable trail, with a total 906m elevation gain and 1,097m elevation loss.

Png said: “I believe MSIG HK50 will definitely be an interesting, eye-opening experience. Trails in Singapore are very flat compared to Hong Kong’s, and the terrains of Hong Kong Island is also very different from the other races in Hong Kong that I have joined. It will be challenging and I’ll have to control and reel in the pace for the runnable first half to preserve energy for the tough second half. As always, the only expectation I have is to enjoy the race and have fun.”

Sharing the same excitement for the race is Guo of Taiwan, women’s champion of the 2017 NISSAN Action Asia X-Trail Taiwan 17km event. She has been training intensively and specifically for the course, which includes a number of long stair climbs and descents. Guo said: “I am also looking forward to experiencing a different racing atmosphere in Hong Kong. There is a lot we can learn from different cultures, as well as from amazing runners from around the world. Also, exploring different race courses in overseas locations would certainly bring advantages to trail running in Taiwan.”

Fellow Taiwanese Chou-Ching will be participating in the race for the first time. He said: “MSIG HK50 is a prestigious event among trail runners. I would like to see how far I can go and to learn from other runners. I think the most challenging part would be the terrain, because you can search all the race information online, but you never know how the terrain is until you are on the course. It will be a difficult race, but each time I’m at the starting line, I tell myself I’m in my best condition. The race result is only an accumulation of my previous training, I can always train more and perform better even if the result is disappointing. I am looking forward to knowing more about Hong Kong and meeting some new friends through the race.”

Apart from regional elites there will also be many trail enthusiasts participating, such as Neo Lee from Nike (Hong Kong) Sports Club. Running is a big part of Lee’s life, and he runs to work and back home every day. “To me, joining MSIG HK50 is just part of training, I see it as one of my long endurance training sessions, and so I have decided to keep a calm mind and avoid putting too much stress on myself,” he said.

The event is possible thanks to the generous support of presenting sponsor MSIG Insurance (Hong Kong) Limited and supporting partners: Action X Store, Skyrunner National Series China, Hoka one one, Bonaqua, Plantronics, C3fit, Camelbak, Royale International, Hong Kong Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, AroundDB, Oldham Li & Nie Lawyers, ITRA - International Trail-Running Association, UTMB Qualifying Race 2017, East Bali Cashews, Del Monte and Action Asia Foundation.

 

Race Info

Event Name	MSIG HK50 Series - Hong Kong Island
Date	Oct 21, 2017 (Saturday)
Start Time	7:00 a.m.
Start Location	Peak Galleria, The Peak, Hong Kong Island
Finish Location	Wong Nai Chung Gap, Hong Kong Island
Distance	24km, 50km
Category	Trail Running and Hiking
Course	http://www.actionasiaevents.com/our-events/upcoming-events/2017-msig-hk50-series-hong-kong-island/course.html#content

About MSIG Action Asia Development Programme

Sponsored by insurance giant MSIG, the MSIG Action Asia Development Programme is the first-ever custom training programme for local Hong Kong trail runners. The highest-ranked male and female runners at the end of the MSIG HK50 Series will also be rewarded with a five-month comprehensive professional coaching programme that will prepare them for the 2018 Skyrunning World Championships in Europe.

For a chance to win a place in the MSIG Action Asia Development Programme, runners have to be Hong Kong-born and must participate in at least two 50-kilometre races in the MSIG HK50 Series. The highest-scoring male and female runners at the end of the series will win the slots.

About MSIG

With a network of operations dating as far back as 1855, MSIG Insurance (Hong Kong) Limited (“MSIG”) has been providing general insurance solutions and products to customers in Hong Kong for more than 150 years.

MSIG is backed by the solid foundation and rich heritage of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company, Limited, an established insurer that has received strong financial ratings from leading rating agencies, including Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s. Today MSIG is one of the few foreign-based general insurers to have representation in every ASEAN country, a testament to its strength and reach. MSIG also benefits from being a member of MS&AD Insurance Group – one of the largest general insurance groups in the world.

Leveraging on the multi-channel distribution, strong partnerships with intermediaries and extensive geographical network, MSIG offers a wide range of insurance solutions across personal and commercial lines. MSIG builds and nurtures enduring relationships, forging close partnerships, through good times and bad.