Race Media

Frenchman Zizi steals the show at Repulse Bay while Dong makes it 2 wins in a row for Action Sprints

HONG KONG, April 26, 2025 – 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 that takes runners from the beach immediately up Violet Hill 436m for brutal start with many getting sand in their shoes at the start.

Frenchman Adil Zizi (GR/JD) traded places along the route with Ukrainian Melnyk Oleksii (T8 Run) with Zizi grabbing the overall Men’s 14km title after a strong technical trail finish. “The race today was a bit cool, bit windy, slippery, quite humid, but super well marked, nice park course, good sensation, so uphill, then downhill, flat and up down again, awesome organization and happy to take part in the race” said Zizi after overall Action Sprint Repulse Bay win in 1 hour 13 minutes 17 seconds.

Second overall at Repulse Bay Action Sprint in the Men’s 14km and winner couple weeks ago in Sai Kung Action Sprint was Ukrainian Melnyk Oleksii. “Today, awesome race. I was slow. Very happy. Weather was ok. Was ok on downhill. Not ok on the uphill and flat today. Nice marking on the course as helped a lot. Lets go for a swim now” said Oleksii after finishing 2^nd overall in an extremely fast time of 1 hour 15 minutes 22 seconds.

Third place was Hong Kong ‘s Lau 劉Tsz Ho Disky 梓浩 finishing in 1:18:11 after battling the whole race with Chris Davis.  “The weather was rainy, sweltering and it's a little bit slippery when I was running in many of the trail and rock sections. At the beginning, we had to run on the beach, which is quite challenging running on the sand so fast and then immediately big climb as it was hard to climb up the steep slope. The weather made it hard for me to complete the race and the competition of so many other fast runners shows you Action Asia is very competitive.” Said Disky Lau Tsz Ho after placing 3rd overall in Repulse Bay Action Sprint together with a 2nd place podium in race 1 of the series in Sai Kung.

Rounding the top 5 was next Chris Davis (UK) finishing in 1:19:28 just ahead of Frenchman Louis Montfort in 1:19:29 after pushing each other to the finish in an exciting sprint.

In the Women’s 14km Dong 董 Chaoling 朝玲 (CHN) took the overall spot in 1:28:40 after grabbing the race 1 win also in Sai Kung. “Weather was very good. Ribbon very clear. Like the rainy days like today as not to hot and can go faster this time of year. Pushed myself hard and happy to win both of these Action Sprint races as so well organized compared to other races” said Women’s 14km winner Dong. 

Hong Kong’s Wong 黃 Mei Yan 美欣 grabbed 2nd overall in Women’s 14km and again like so many big smile as cooler conditions helped a lot. “Today’s weather very good. A bit slippery, tough on the uphill, but really enjoyed the race as great seeing marking so good and so many staff on the course. Thanks again Action Asia for awesome race again”, said Women’s 14km, 2^nd place podium finisher Hong Kong’s Wong 黃 Mei Yan 美欣 finishing in 1:37:06.

After working late at night in her Sheung Wan restaurant, Petronella Harlin (Sweden) put on a great show to sprint to the finish in 1:37:55 and was full of joy crossing the finish line. “This is my 2nd trail race in my life as I am always doing Action Asia (she says with a big smile!!) and I am so stoked as can’t believe I came in 3rd place as almost have tears of happiness as so overwhelmed. It was perfect conditions, quite slippery, but with NNormal shoes, have to recommend them, quite good grip so I was steady on the track, thank you so much for great organization and have to say for Neon Tiger, passion fruit is the best” said Petronella Harlin finishing the 14km Women’s Action Sprint in 3rd place.

Grabbing 4^th overall in the Women’s 14km was  Chung 鍾 Tsz Man 芷蔓 (HKSAR) finishing in 1:38:15, with Elsa Polycarpe (France) not far behind taking 5^th overall in 1:39:21.

In the 9km Men’s category, Gildas Humeau (France) took the overall win in 56 minutes 57 seconds while Hong Kong’s Nicole Chau 周 Lok 洛 took the overall Women’s win in 1:06:30.

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 22nd 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 Bonaqua, Aquarius, Sudio, Corona beer, SIS gels, Action X Store, Fitz, Royale International, Action Asia Sports Academy and St Johns Ambulance together with the hard working marshals, volunteers and staff.

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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 (315) Zizi Adil - France - GR/JD - 01:13:17

2 (310) Melnyk Oleksii - Ukraine – T8 Run - 01:15:22

3 (188) Lau 劉Tsz Ho Disky 梓浩 - HKSAR - 01:18:11

4 (339) Davis Chris - British - 01:19:28

5 (284) Montfort Louis - France - 01:19:29

14 km - Top 5 Women

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

1 (265) Dong 董 Chaoling 朝玲 - CHN - 01:28:40

2 (197) Wong 黃 Mei Yan 美欣 - HKSAR - 01:37:06

3 (124) Harlin Petronella - Sweden - 01:37:55

4 (316) Chung 鍾 Tsz Man 芷蔓 - HKSAR - 01:38:15

5 (240) Polycarpe Elsa - France - 01:39:21

 

9 km - Top 5 Men

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

1 (831) Humeau Gildas - France - 00:56:57

2 (848) Lau 劉 Hin Chung 憲宗 - HKSAR - 01:09:24

3 (871) Barnes Jack - HKSAR - 01:10:59

4 (893) Flueckiger Andres - Switzerland - 01:12:31

5 (856) Bardet Pierre - France - 01:13:12

 

9 km - Top 5 Women

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

1 (903) Chau 周 Lok Nicole 洛 - HKSAR - 01:06:30

2 (891) Shuttleworth Sarah - United Kingdom - Shut-Kin-Waite - 01:07:01

3 (335) Shuttleworth Amie - HKSAR - 01:13:33

4 (804) Cabania Ma Aurora - Philippines - 01:14:06

5 (868) Cvetkovic Switzerland - 01:17:54

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 300 events over the past 25 years, 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

www.facebook.com/ActionAsiaEvent/

www.instagram.com/actionasiaevents/

www.youtube.com/user/ActionAsiaEvents

www.linkedin.com/company/action-asia-events/

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