Bright and early at HK50 West with new faces – Lam & Hobbs
HONG KONG, January 25, 2025 – Race 3 of the HK50 series kicked off with perfect cool conditions to make the first section up Shing Mun and Tai Mo Shan trails faster than normal, with race leaders battling each other on the technical sections with winds picking up the higher you went pushing temperatures below 10c at the summit, before descending off Tai Mo Shan and hitting warmer conditions by the Tai Lam Chung reservoir on the ultra-marathon trail course.
Hong Kong’s Ng Wai Hei (T8) blasted over the summit and was on a charge coming down Tai Mo Shan leading the pack determined to show off his combined technical trail skills and road skills. It was back in 2018 when Ng Wai Hei after doing well in the HK50 series was invited to represent Hong Kong at the World Skyrunning Championships with Cheung Man-Yee getting a taste of how difficult technical trails can be and a wake up call to how much time one can lose. Fast forward 6 years and more experience under his belt, Ng has used the technical trails to his advantage and made up ground. But with runners like Conner Hobbs pacing ability and getting probably more nutrition down at the checkpoints Ng still has more to learn, but incredible talent at his age.
“Today I was quite happy as it was a great race. The weather was very nice. The scenery coming over Tai Mo Shan early in the morning was very beautiful. Really enjoyed the trails and conditions in Tai Lam with variety. Quite hard as I suffered on the final uphill on Tai Mo Shan as was very hard at that stage (45km mark) which had the stairs, but a very good course as so challenging and want to now focus on the Sai Kung 50 coming as also very challenging.” Said Ng after his 2nd place finish on the 55km category finishing in 5 hours 29 minutes 2 seconds.
“Had a phenomenal time out there today at the HK50 West. I just love this course. I’ve never really raced this kind of distance before, but it was a great course, markings were great, very well marked, I just, couldn’t have had an easier time following the route, loved it, temperature was awesome allowing you to go really quick, felt like I lost a couple of people after check point one (Tai Mo Shan Kiosk), but battled hard and still together (with Ng race leader) at checkpoint four (44km) and then final climb was the difference between who was stronger at the end”, said overall winner Conner Hobbs (UK) who grinded it out over last Tai Mo Shan section to get by Ng and take overall win in 5 hours 18minute 26 seconds.
Hong Kong’s Harmony Lam 林 Cho Yu 楚茹 (TPH Elite Team) pushed well outside her comfort zone to continue the pacing on the climbs determined not too slow down.
“I was happy finishing the 55km HK50 West course today. The most impressive memory for me was watching the sunrise come up over Tai Mo Shan as the race started so early. Some of the trails were very difficult as I wasn’t use too. It wasn’t easy running some of these trails as really had to push myself to continue running non-stop as a long course, but very happy and thanks so much Action Asia” said overall Women’s 55km winner Harmony Lam Lam 林 Cho Yu 楚茹 finishing in 6 hours 13 minutes 29 seconds a new Women’s course record for this direction (2019 opposite direction).
Second overall in the Women’s 55km was Sarah Pemberton (Gone Running / Joint Dynamics) pushing herself in what seems an eternity doing local races finishing in 6 hours 58 minutes 28 seconds. Some will remember Sarah for doing one of her first ultras at such a young age back in 2013 in the Mongolia Action Asia stage race with her sister and then Nepal Action Asia 100km stage race before attempting larger feats like the 4Trails CNY race in HK.
“I really miss running in Hong Kong. I miss the small races, this course and so much of the trails that I haven’t done before and were amazing. I just wanted to have a good day out and get to the finish. That was the goal. And had a good day today. Some new pain in the first half, disappeared in the second half, so was happy about that just happy that I explored so many new trails. It was great” said Sarah Pemberton next to Kimmy Leung who came out too watch the race.
In the Men’s 55km Hong Kong’s Nathan Wong 黃Kwok Wai 國威 who represented Hong Kong recently in the World Skyrunning Championship in Spain came home 3rd overall in 5 hours 54minutes.
This should be my 4th time participating in this HK50 West race and the weather today was perfect for this distance as was quite cool, a bit dark, started a bit conservative to save energy until the first checkpoint (Tai Mo Shan kiosk), think moved from 6 place to 3rd place having more energy at the end and finished strong and thank you Action Asia for the amazing organization and course marking. Thanks again. See you next race in Sai Kung” said Wong 黃Kwok Wai 國威.
Marcus Li 李Chun Wing 俊穎 (The Peak Hunter) from Hong Kong took home 4th in the Men’s 55km with a hard battle with 3rd place Wong at the end. “Today was the first time joining the HK50 West. The route had many runnable flat sections which made it fast, some steep climbs on the country park roads, but ran them all. The weather was good today. Most of the route, I have not been before, so it was really interesting for me seeing new areas as really happy I entered this event as enjoyed a lot.” Said Li taking home 4th only 30 seconds behind 3rd in 5 hours 54 minutes 31 seconds.
John Vullierme (USA) grabbed the final position on the podium taking 5th overall in 6 hours 12 minutes 11 seconds.
The Women’s 55km had a battle between 3rd and 4th with Eleanor Gould-Pereira (UK) taking 3rd sprinting too the finish in a time of 7 hours 10 minutes 50 seconds with Hong Kong’s Wong 王Tes 雅詩 seconds later in 7 hours 11 minutes 35 seconds taking 4th with both giving a big hug over smiles at the finish showing good sportsmanship.
“Fantastic day out. First 10km out was super technical at start. Tough climb. Some tough sections, really hard overall. Fast finish with road catchwater at end. Great course markings. Good day all out. Thank you all.” said Gould-Pereira taking 3rd overall.
Duo club runner Wong 王Tes 雅詩 was happy with 4th overall in Women’s 55km. “This was a tough course for me. I’m happy with my club Duo as helped me prepare for this race. I really surprised myself as certainly wasn’t easy, but the weather helped being cooler and good marking”, said Wong.
South African Karen Fairley who loves to push herself regular at her home on Lantau was full of smiles taking 5th overall in the Women’s 55km. “Such an amazing course. Tough. Geez. Super narley. Typical Michael Maddess style. But lot’s of fun. Great support out there. Just loved my experience. Thank you”, said Fairley finishing in 8 hours 12 minutes 8 seconds.
Over 350 entered the HK50 West event organized by Action Asia Events that had participants start at Shing Mun reservoir, climb over Hong Kong’s tallest mountain - 917m Tai Mo Shan, descend to Ho Pui Reservoir area, lower Tai Lam Chung Reservoir with Yuen Tsuen Ancient trail sections, before a long steady climb halfway back up Tai Mo Shan, then descending technical trails back to Shing Mun Reservoir, finishing with a catchwater sprint for a total elevation gain of 2572m (higher elevation on different gps watches) covering 3 distances of 55km, 25km and 11km. The 55km runners started with around 15minutes of darkness requiring headlamps, before enough light on the trail.
Trail running is already more extreme than road running, but add the technical trails to keep you entertained, many realize these ultra-marathons are hardcore which has always been in the DNA of Action Asia Events to get people off the normal trails into the unknown and experiencing a real taste of adventure to get the adrenaline pumping. Some call trail running an extreme sport as some are drawn by beauty and simplicity while others are drawn by constantly wanting to improve times, pushing themselves down technical descents willing to take a serious fall. That’s where the fun starts as it creates such a wonderful inspiring story.
“Great hearing comments from participants pushing themselves outside their boundaries, having a new experience, seeing new interesting trails as always nice getting off the same well-known trails which everyone uses to see a different perspective of Hong Kong and what makes this place so cool to live. If only we could get more government support for trail running and skyrunning as never easy as an organizer sidetracked in the red tape and admin side of getting permits as ideally should be focusing our resources on building the community even bigger, promoting Hong Kong, but that will take time. Look forward to our next event in Sai Kung Feb 22 which should be fun” said Michael Maddess, Director of Action Asia Events.
Big round of applause for so many of the marshals, staff and volunteers that pushed themselves out of bed as early as 3am to get up to Shing Mun, Tai Mo Shan and Tai Lam Chung areas in the dark which is inspiring in itself. Huge thanks all the supporting partners that we could not have done this event without including Bonaqua, Aquarius, Gweilo beer, UFC coconut water, Neon Tiger soda, Royale International, Action X Store, Fitz, Sudio, ITRA and Action Asia Sports Academy.
The final race 4 of the HK50 series moves to Sai Kung on Feb 22, 2025.
RESULTS
55km - Top 5 Men
Overall Category BIB Last Name First Name Nationality Team / Sponsor Race Time
1 (160) Hobbs Connor - United Kingdom- 05:18:26
2 (191 ) Ng 吳Wai Hei 瑋曦 - China, HKSAR - T8 - 05:29:02
3 (197) Wong 黃Kwok Wai 國威 - China, HKSAR- 05:54:00
4 (107) Li 李Chun Wing 俊穎 - China, HKSAR - The Peak Hunter - 05:54:31
5 (102) Vullierme John - United States- 06:12:11
55km - Top 5 Women
Overall Category BIB Last Name First Name Nationality Team / Sponsor Race Time
1 (183) Lam 林Cho Yu 楚茹 Harmony - China, HKSAR - TPH Elite Team - 06:13:29
2 (172) Pemberton Sarah - China, HKSAR - Gone Running / Joint Dynamics - 06:58:28
3 (169) Gould-Pereira Eleanor - United Kingdom- 07:10:50
4 (154) Wong 王Tes 雅詩 - China, HKSAR - duo - 07:11:35
5 (171) Fairley Karen - South Africa- 08:12:08
25km - Top 5 Men
Overall Category BIB Last Name First Name Nationality Team / Sponsor Race Time
1 (340) Bonan Mirto - Italy - We Infinite - 02:29:05
2 (442) Yeung 楊Ho Yin 皓然 - China, HKSAR - Altra - 02:33:30
3 (396) Ross Iain - United Kingdom - 02:50:17
4 (344) Sandes Robert - United Kingdom - 02:54:27
5 (360) Abel Jon - United Kingdom - 02:58:17
25km - Top 5 Women
Overall Category BIB Last Name First Name Nationality Team / Sponsor Race Time
1 (381) Phipkin Emma - United Kingdom- 02:44:55
2 (382) Chu 朱Ying Yau 映柔 - China, HKSAR- 02:49:50
3 (415) Lee 李Tsz Kwan 梓鈞 China, HKSAR- 02:53:43
4 (385) Loubiere Celine - France- 03:15:09
5 (389) Buil Judith - Germany- 03:20:41
11km - Top 5 Men
Overall Category BIB Last Name First Name Nationality Team / Sponsor Race Time
1 (908) Deloy Patrick - Germany - Zupe - 01:12:07
2 (835) Geddes Marc - United Kingdom - 01:12:28
3 (827) Pilbeam Alex - United Kingdom - 01:14:20
4 (848) Cheng 鄭 Kim Fai 劍輝 - China, HKSAR - 01:15:57
5 (808) Tam 譚 Man Ho 文灝 - China, HKSAR - 01:24:43
11km - Top 5 Women
Overall Category BIB Last Name First Name Nationality Team / Sponsor Race Time
1 (899) Chau 周 Nicole - China, HKSAR - 01:17:39
2 (861) Ossola Cecile - France - 01:32:10
3 (868) Jackson Liz - United States - 01:33:11
4 (815) Murphy Lesley - China, HKSAR - 01:34:30
5 (809) Lin 林 Wen Hui 雯慧 - Taiwan - 01:36:10
Race Info
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Event Name |
HK50 WEST – Race 3 of HK50 series |
|
Date |
January 25, 2025 (Saturday) |
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Start Time |
6:30 am – 55km, 6:40am – 25km, 6:50 – 11km |
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Start & FinishLocation |
Shing Mun Reservoir Catchwater, Tsuen Wan |
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Distance |
55 km, 25 km, 11 km |
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Category |
Trail Running and Hiking |
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Website |
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.
More Race Details at:
www.facebook.com/ActionAsiaEvent/
www.instagram.com/actionasiaevents/
www.youtube.com/user/ActionAsiaEvents
www.twitter.com/ActionAsiaEvent
https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-asia-events/
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