Race Media

 Chan Chi Keung’s hard work pays off with win at Repulse Bay while Dong 董 Chaoling pips Zhu 朱 Xiaoqian 笑倩 by 6 seconds in Women’s

Action Sprint Repulse Bay – Race 2 of series

HONG KONG, May 28 2024 – The Action Sprint Trail series a regular feature on the Hong Kong calendar since 2003 had around 350 trail runners entered the 2^nd race of the series starting on the Repulse Bay beach. Hong Kong’s Chan 陳 Chi Keung went out hard with UK’s  Matthew Carey hot on his heals going over the 436m Violet Hill in the first hour, but after Chan’s 2^nd place finish 2 weeks ago in the race 1 Sai Kung event running out of gas in the last kilometer, he wasn’t going to let Cary do the same in this Repulse Bay Sprint race and put the hammer down to open a gap of just over 2 minutes pushing hard on the up hills which paid off winning the Men’s 14km category in a time of 1 hour 16 minutes 22 seconds.

“The humidity was very high as almost 100% it felt like, but the course wasn’t too difficult for me as train on this kind of stuff, but it was wet and slippery on the downhills, but I could handle it. Yes very happy with my win and the nice prizes.” said 14km Men’s winner Chan from (TPH Elite team).

“Great race but couldn’t catch him” laughing Carey at the finish. “Really good race today. Pretty quick start up the hill. Trying to chase the 1^st place leader Chan up the hill (Violet – 436m), in my sights, but just couldn’t catch him near the end and it was hard effort and a really good race today, glad the rain held off a bit and enjoyed it. The uphills were tough as was trying to chase Chan was quite strong, did better on the catchwater as think I gained a bit of ground, but not enough. Did go very deep on the climbs, but not enough. Good race today” said 2^nd place Carey who finished in 1 hour 19 minutes 5 seconds.

The winner of the HK50 series and one of Asia’s top ultra runners, Hong Kong’s KC Chan (T8) had a fantastic 3^rd place coming from behind as a Sprint trail race is very different than the longer ultras as many will find out. KC fought hard and got by Tommy Yeung in the final stretch to squeeze by and take 3^rd. “That was hard. Humidity so high and very fast pace going uphill. Wet, technical, and very happy I could push hard in final kilometer and have enough energy after such an intense pace to get by the runner in front of me and take 3^rd. Great prizes with Mophie and Sudio so thanks so much again Action Asia for the great organizing” said KC Chan finishing in 1 hour 21 minutes 28 seconds, before being drowned out by around 20 screaming girls behind him celebrating their finish.

Fourth in the Men’s 14km went to Tommy Yeung in 1 hour 22minutes 2 seconds and fifth to a long time Action Asia regular Frenchman Alan Zagury in 1 hour 22 minutes 36 seconds.

China’s Dong Chaoling took the overall Women’s 14km to the line with a fight against Xiaoqian Zhu separting both by 6 seconds. Talking to a group of reporters at the finish she said “Hi everyone, I am Dong Chaoling. Very happy to participate in this 14km Action Sprint trail race.  The race was very difficult as this morning was raining hard. There was many uphills that was very hard to deal with. (Violet Hill 436m). Thanks Action Asia for organising such a good competitive race” finished Dong who won the 14km Womens in 1 hour 40 minutes 25 seconds.

Zhu Xiaoqian grabbing 2^nd overall made the organizers job easier by spinning off her interview in 3 languages (English, Cantonese, Mandarin) who know lives in Hong Kong and was quite upbeat after coming home so close to the winner by 6 seconds. “This is my 2^nd time joining this amazing run as was so much fun as had a great experience running with all the runners together and so exciting being around so many.  For sure that with the rain and tough weather makes it hard to run. It was very wet and slippery and towards the end, I was out of energy to run.  It was a great experience and thanks to the organizer for everything being so good” said Zhu who finished 2^nd in the Womens 14km in 1 hour 40 minutes 31 seconds.

Third in the Women’s 14km was Hong Kong’s Helene Neto coming in 1 hour 43 minutes 9 seconds with a strong performance. “Was expecting rain today, but the weather turned out beautiful for running. I think the trails were wet and slippery, but overall fine and a great feeling. I didn’t struggle as a lot of fun throughout and was cheering everyone around me along in the race. Want to thank Action Asia for such a well-organized event and definitely looking towards next race in Discovery Bay”, said Neto on the podium.

Fourth was Genevieve Tsang Yung Hin in 1 hour 44 minutes 35 seconds and fifth going to German’s Judith Buil in 1 hour 51 minutes 31 seconds.

In the 9km Men’s category, UKs Stephen Higgins took the win in 1:00:45. Nice and fast. A bit slippery. Well done Action Asia as great job” said Higgins.

In the 9km Women’s Hong Kong’s Nicole Chau in her first ever trail race won in 1:10:24. “Yes my first ever trail race. I have done some triathlons, but really enjoyed this” said the young rising star of the next generation to come up.

Runners set off from Repulse Bay Beach and after a short 400m sprint on the sand, they headed up towards Tai Tam Country Park for a loop around Violet Hill including going over the 436meter peak. Going down the Wilson trail, muddy, technical rocks and cement stairs the 9km participants would then drop back down to Repulse Bay for a total elevation gain of around 568m, while the 14km participants continued towards Tai Tam Reservoir for another loop around the middle reservoir, more technical muddy dirt trails before finishing back at the beach for a total elevation gain of around 751m.

The Action SPRINT Trail Series now in its 21st year is an icon in Hong Kong for many trail runners and outdoor lovers with over 1000 participating in the series every year. Focusing on the environment, sustainability and Leaving No Trace, Action Asia Events used almost 100% recycled course marking material for the previous Action Sprint race focusing on its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, while generating over 10 bags of separated waste made up of food waste from banana and orange peels, plastics and cardboard that will all be recycled.  Action Asia Events is dedicated to creating diversified and challenging routes and giving runners the opportunity to set foot on less-trodden trails and explore the suburbs away from the concrete jungle to promote mental health.

The event could not have happened without the kind support of Royale International, Bonaqua, Aquarius, Adidas, Sudio, Mophie, Action X Store, Fitz, C3fit, Action Asia Sports Academy and St Johns Ambulance together with the hard working marshals, volunteers and staff.

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#trailrunning #HongKong #Fitness #Health #ActionSprint #ActionAsiaEvents

Race Results

14 km - Top 5 Men

Position – Bib# - Name – Category - Nationality - Team/Sponsor - Finishing Time

Overall  / BIB / Last Name / First Name / Nationality / Team /  Race Time

1 (212) Chan 陳Chi Keung 自強 - HKG - TPH Elite team - 1:16:22

2 (150) Carey Matthew - HKG - KipMovin' - 1:19:05

3 (350) Chan 陳Ka Keung 家強 - HKG - 1:21:28

4 (314) Yeung 楊Tommy 耀民 - British - 1:22:02

5 (326) Zagury Alan - FRA - 1:22:36

14 km - Top 5 Women

Overall  / BIB / Last Name / First Name / Nationality / Team /  Race Time

1 (333) Dong 董Chaoling 朝珍 - CHN - 1:40:25

2 (227) Zhu 朱Xiaoqian 笑倩 - HKG - 1:40:31

3 (276) Neto Helene - HKG - NETO - 1:43:09

4 (310) Tsang 曾Yung Hin Genevieve 融軒 - HKG - 1:44:35

5 (301) Buil Judith - German - 1:51:31

9 km - Top 5 Men

Overall  / BIB / Last Name / First Name / Nationality / Team /  Race Time

1 (553) Higgins Stephen - UK - 1:00:45

2 (604) Mansy Jozef - HKG - 1:05:55

3 (540) Lui 呂 Man Hin 旻軒 - HKG - 1:07:30

4 (539) Lagrange Aurelien - FRA - 1:07:52

5 (551) Mironenko Aleksey - HKG - 1:09:28

 

9 km - Top 5 Women

Overall  / BIB / Last Name / First Name / Nationality / Team /  Race Time

1 (518) Chau 周 Nicole 樂 - HKG - 1:10:24

2 (541) Chan 陳 Evelyn 凱欣 - HKG - 1:11:21

3 (563) Nakano Julia - German - 1:13:55

4 (534) Bajarin Carmina - HKG - 1:15:07

5 (581) Simbayan Jifsy May - Philippines - 1:26:09

Race Info

 

About Action Asia Events

Action Asia Events is the organizer of spectacular, extraordinary remote marathons for adventure travel seekers & trail running enthusiasts that inspire and push the boundaries of participants. Having organized over 290 events over the past 23 year’s Action Asia Events constantly keeps inspiring and pushes the boundaries of adventure travel, ultra-marathon and team building. Responsibilities range from designing courses, selection of the venue, dates and race format to raising the funds essential to run the race as well as liaising with NGO’s and non-profits for fund raising activities related to environment, education and health.

For more race details, please visit below: 

www.actionasiaevents.com 

 

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