Race Media

ELITE US ULTRARUNNER JASON SCHLARB UPS THE ANTE AT MSIG LANTAU 50

HOKA One-One and Julbo Athlete Jason Schlarb [http://www.hokaoneone.com/athletes.html#jason-anchor] heads to Hong Kong next month to take part in the MSIG Lantau 50, race 2 of the MSIG HK50 series. The ex-road runner finished 3rd behind Sage Canaday and Anton Krupicka at the 2013 Speedgoat 50 km and holds the fifth fastest ever recorded time on the course – arguably Amercia’s most challenging 50 km race. He boasts a 2:27 PB in the marathon and is a regular podium finisher in the 50 kilometre to 100 mile distance. This will be his first race in Hong Kong.
 
“I have raced trail ultras in the United States, Canada, New Zealand and have only done training runs in Italy.  I have raced cross country and track in Switzerland, Italy, Africa, Belgium and Germany….but the level of support, interest and passion for running is far greater than it is in North America.  I am very excited to run in Hong Kong, as I have heard people here love the sport of ultra-running.”

The US runner faces fellow American, Rudy Gilman, fresh off a win at the White River 50 miler in the USA. Gilman, who lives and trains full time in Kunming, China, is looking to redeem himself after missing the last turn in the MSIG Hong Kong 50 race last month.

Elite local runner, William Davies, is currently leading the series and took the win last year in 5 hours 27 minutes 30 seconds. He will take last year’s lessons, where he dominated in the final climb, into the race. “I narrowed the lead as I enjoyed the undulating rolling short hills before the last brutal climb for the final 10km up Lo Fu Tau again where I managed to get by [Pavel Toropovnov] and take the win as you could say that’s my kind of trail”, he said after last year’s race.  

In the mix is also Pavel Toropovnov, Gilman’s training partner, who placed second behind Davies last year in the MSIG50 Lantau.  Toropovnov has had an unusual year with injury and is looking forward to a good run on the spectacular course. “Hopefully things go better this time for me, last year I cramped up with 12k to go and had a very painful and slow finish. I am keeping my fingers crossed for a cool, breezy day. The colder, the better. “

Jason will be holding a sharing session at Action X store next Friday, 6 December (details below) to share his knowledge of the trails and US trail running.
 
MSIG HK50 SERIES
The MSIG HK50 series, in association with Volkswagen, is Hong Kong’s premier 50 kilometre race series and a sanctioned Skyrunning event with the International Skyrunning Association. Runners may also chose from 27 kilometre and 14 kilometre distances across the three courses on Hong Kong Island, Lantau and Sai Kung. The MSIG50 Lantau, to be held on 7 December 2013, is the second race in the 2013-2014 series.
 
“With 2607 metres of elevation gain across the 50 kilometres distance and a brutal but stunning ascent of Lo Fu Tao at the finish, this has got to be one of the tougher 50 km races in Hong Kong. It’s also one of the only races I know of that takes runners along both the big and little Chi Ma Wan peninsula,” says Race Director Michael Maddess.  
 
“So you wannabe an ultra-runner?” Sharing session with Jason Schlarb

When: Friday 6 December [4pm – 6pm]
Where: ActionX store, G/F, 28 Bonham Strand
Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Contact: 3102 2977
 
No reservations just come and ask him questions.

Action Asia Events is thankful to the title sponsor MSIG, associated sponsor Volkswagen, Action X Store and other supporting sponsors OtterBox, Nature Valley, Bonaqua, Descente, Auberge Discovery Bay, Skins, Woolies, Herbalgy, Salonpas, Beauty Diary, Digital Butter, OLN, AroundDB Magazine, ISF and Hong Kong VR2HAM.


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.