Race Media

Gray defends MSIG VK title while Bishnu does Nepal proud with 1st overseas win

HONG KONG, 06 Dec. 2015 – The 3rd event of the MSIG HK50 series kicked off Saturday morning with a vertical kilometer (VK) with runners starting at Tung Fuk beach and running up to the 934m tip of Lantau Peak covering a single track technical 5km course with American Colorado Springs based  Joseph Gray (Mío Global/Spenco) defending his MSIG Lantau VK champion title in a blistering 38 minutes 35 seconds just 50 seconds off his 2014 VK course record with Nepalese young 19 year sensation winning her first overseas race in 51 minutes and 50 seconds picking up HK$6000 cash and a chance for both winners to win the MSIG “Double”.

Picture: American Mío Global and Spenco runner Joseph Gray defends his champion title at the MSIG Lantau VK at finish line (Lantau Peak) in 38 minutes and 35 seconds
Winning for his 2nd year in a row Gray is using this weekend to help prepare for his 2016 Olympic marathon trials. “I had to run really fast to keep a distance from other runners, so that I could maintain the lead in the last 500 meters before reaching the peak, but happy, well organized and a great race today as love Hong Kong,” Gray said.

Only 12 seconds later and a close 2nd was Norwegian Inov8 runner Eirik Haugsnes, grabbing the overall first runner up. “I could hardly see anything in the last couple kilometers as it was too windy with clouds coming in,” said Haugsnes, “but comparing to other runners I have an advantage because I am used to cold and windy weather in my country so I could keep my own pace.”

Bed Bahadur Sunuwar from Nepal took the overall third place in 40 minutes and 36 seconds. “I enjoyed today’s race because I like the weather and the good view along the way. For tomorrow’s MSIG Lantau 50, I will run faster since the distance is longer as felt good today and so happy also for Bishnu in doing Nepal proud,” said Bed Bahadur.

Nepalese runner Bishnu Maya Budha grabbed the MSIG Lantau VK female champion title in 51 minutes and 50 seconds which will give her some praise from Nepal. This was her first time leaving her country and her first win in overseas competition. “I was very excited about this race and very happy that I won,” said Maya, “I enjoyed every bit of the race and the brand new experience in Hong Kong. I am quite use too hills and would say that it wasn’t too difficult but tomorrow will be much more difficult for me”, said Champion Nepalese Maya.

French Adidas runner and past world champion in longer distances Maud Gobert took Women’s second place in the MSIG Lantau VK race and crossed the finish line in 52 minute 30 seconds. “I am very familiar with this kind of windy weather so I could run quite fast. I love this trip in Hong Kong not only because of these awesome races, but also because all the friendly people I met here. Beautiful course and scenery”.

French elite and HK based runner Charlotte Henry reached the summit finish in 54 minutes 5 seconds. “At the first kilometer I ran really fast, and this is the lesson I learn from the last year Lantau event. As for the last kilometer, I knew how to keep my pace and knew how many people were behind me and who I was up against. I’m use to climbing in windy day days in the mountains so I got used to today’s weather quite fast and feel luck and at ease with this course,” said Charlotte, who will participate in 27km distance Sunday for the VK/27 double.

The events could not have happened without the support of MSIG Insurance (Hong Kong) Limited, the ActionX Store, OtterBox, Bonaqua, Salomon, Key Sun Zinke, C3fit, Kitsound, Salonpas, Herbalgy, Pearl’s, Oldham Li & Nie Lawyers, AroundDB, the China Skyrunning Association, the Action Asia Foundation, Del Monte, Suunto, Redback, Berrytime, Herbalgy, Oregon Scientific, ITRA, AroundDB, UTMB Qualifying Race 2016 and VR2HAM Hong Kong.

2015 The MSIG Lantau VK Race Results

Top 5 Men
Name-Nationality-Team/Sponsor-Time
1. Joseph Gray-United States-Mío Global, Spenco-38:35
2. Eirik Haugsnes-Norway-Inov8-38:47
3. Bed Bahadur Sunuwar-Nepal TEAM-Nepal-40:36
4. Orlando Edwards – UK - 40:44
5. Anders Kleist-Sweden-IL Akele-41:27

Top 5 Women
Name-Nationality-Team/Sponsor-Time
1. Bishnu Maya Budha-Nepal-Nepal-51:50
2. Maud Gobert-France-Adidas-52:30
3. Charlotte Henry-France-54:05
4. Rebecca Nakuwa-Kenya-55:18
5. Nicole Lau-Hong Kong-55:28

RESULTS

http://www.actionasiaevents.com/assets/images/Events/HK50_Series_Lantau/2015/vk/Copy%20of%20Overall%20Result%20MSIG%20Lantau%20VK%20Dec%205%202015.pdf

The MSIG Lantau VK Information
Event Name    MSIG Lantau VK
Date    Dec 5, 2015 (Saturday)
Start Time    9:00 am
Start Location    Tong Fuk Beach, Lantau, Hong Kong
Finish Location    Lantau Peak - then awards Ngong Ping campsite area near bottom of stairs (not far from Bhudha)
Distance    5 km (+934m)
Category    Trail Running and Hiking
Website    www.actionasiaevents.com

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.