Race Media

McNaughton & Hui remind HK50 runners go easy first half or pay price second half

HONG KONG, October 24, 2019 – The classic trail running series including four races HK50 series organized by Action Asia Events is going to kick start. This Saturday (26 Oct) is the first race Hong Kong Island 50. Several international and local trail running elites will join. Moreover, some passionate participants have already joined all four races of the whole series.

The 50km female overall champion last year Mary Hui said, "The key to this course is to not go out too fast. You must hold back the temptation of bursting out the front gates and flying through the first half of the course, which is largely flat and downhill. The challenge comes at the end, when your legs are already tired: big climbs up Mt. Butler, Jardine’s Lookout and Violet Hill. That's where the race really starts."

New Zealander Marie McNaughton based in HK, is a podium finisher in numerous Action Asia Events races. She has joined the HK Island 50 this year, “with the enjoyable runnable start down from the peak, it’s super easy to blow up on the back half when the hills come. The key is running slower than you think in the first half. The loop around Mount Bennet and second half of Cecil’s ride are more technical then people think so.”

Local runner Leung Ying Suet thinks that the course in HK Island 50 is suitable to run. This is a great advantage for runners who are familiar with road running. “As I was a road runner for many years, I find this course that is easy for me. I will enforce my training on this part as well,” Leung said.

HK Island 50 is the first race of the HK50 series, while some people have registered for the whole series. Jeff Holcombe from United States is one of them. “I have enjoyed trail running for more than 10 years in US and HK participating in many races. I also ran the 27km category in Lantau 50 by Action Asia Events last December. I decided to participate in all four events this year because of the motivation of taking my trail running to a higher level,” this passionate runner said.

The classic and challenging course starts from the Peak Galleria (396,) 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 an additional loop of Mount Bennet in Aberdeen Country Park. The course then becomes more technical and challenging, with a big loop following Sir Cecil Ride and up Mount Parker Road to Quarry Gap Tai Fung Au, Boa Vista trail, Mt Butler (436m), Jardine Lookout (433m), followed by a loop of Violet Hill (438m), finishing at Wong Nai Chung Gap for just over 2200m elevation gain and 2400m elevation loss in the 50km trail race.

The event is organized by Action Asia Events and is possible thanks to the generous support of all supporting partners: Action X store, Pizza Hut, Royale International, Skyrunner National Series, Bonaqua, Camelbak, Cathay Pacific, Salonsip, Nectar Hydro, Theragun, Plantronics, Herbalgy, Hong Kong Chiropractors Association, Bu sunscreen, New Life Plastics and Horizon Sports.

Race Info

Event Name: HK50 Series - Hong Kong Island
Date: Oct 26, 2019 (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
Website: www.actionasiaevents.com

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2019/20 HK50 Series
Oct 26, 2019 - HK50 – Hong Kong Island 50
Dec 1, 2019 - Lantau 50 - HK50 Series - Asian Skyrunning Championship
Jan 11, 2020 - Hong Kong 50 WEST
Feb 15, 2020 - Sai Kung 50