Race Media

Technical, tough but beautiful wild trails test local and overseas runners

Sunday at 8 a.m, top Taiwanese and other international runners from around the world gathered in Maokong, Taipei and took on the challenge of the annual OtterBox Action Asia X-trail race. Runners ran through single-track trail with slippery rocks and winding jungle downhill trail while experiencing the authentic Taipei nature with many temples lined up along the course. It was the third win for both Czech runner Petr Novotny and New Zealander Ruth Charlotte Croff who dominated the 17 km category.

Czech runner Petr Novotny, a team member of Taiwan Beast Runners finished the course in 1 hour 44 minutes won the overall Champion in the 17 km race for 3 consecutive years. “I’m very excited as it was my third time winning the race. Er Ge Shan area is my favourite part of the race. For me, it was the most technical part yet the most beautiful part of the race as it has wildness, farms and nice trails, all the elements that I love.”

It was also the third win for New Zealander runner Ruth Charlotte Croff who grabbed the champion of the Women’s 17 km race, finishing in 1 hour and 57 minutes. “The race was pretty good. The first half was really hard but I really enjoyed the second half because it really got your legs moving. It was a good day, not too hot. No typhoon as well. I race in many different countries but I love Taiwan trails the most because they are very technical. Even though I have not raced in my hometown for a while but I still think trails in Taiwan are also very different from New Zealand. New Zealand trails are not that technical”, said Croff.

The first runner up of the 17 km race, 23 years old French man Guibert Léonard crossed the finish line in 1 hour 47 minutes and 16 seconds. “It is my first time visiting Taiwan and I really appreciated the stunning scenery along the course running. Even though I join approximately 4 races every year in France, this race was a lot more challenging for me. If I could come to Taiwan again, I would definitely join this race again”, said Léonard.

“It was not too hot as the sun was not out so I did not drink much water on the course. I slipped and fell on the muddy trail but I did not get hurt. Trail running is very new to me as this was my first trail running race. I realize you cannot go too fast on trails because you need to pay attention to what’s on the trail and the surrounding areas”, said Beate Krecklow, a German runner came in second place in women’s category in 2 hours 13 minutes and 10 seconds.

Taiwan student Ching Chou (周青)  finished in 1 hour 48 minutes 20 seconds placed third in the Men’s 17km race. “I just had a surgery two weeks ago and this is the second race I had after the surgery. I always try my best in races no matter what. I loved the course and the most technical part for me was the down hill rocky trails.”

In 2 hours 38 minutes and 08 seconds, another Taiwan runner Lily Wong grabbed third place in the women’s category in the 17km race. “The first up hill part was quite energy consuming and the last 2 km was also tiring for me too as I was pushing myself very hard and barely had any strength left. I love Action Asia Events’ races because I could always find quite a lot of nice pictures and videos after the race.”

The OtterBox Action Asia X-trial 9km race overall champion goes to Shao Hong Yang. He accomplished the race in 59 minutes 23 second. “I started running when I was in grade six with my parents. Running is my hobby, I don’t plan to be a professional runner but will definitely continue to join races just to enjoy them as a runner”, said Yang.

Taiwan runner Ming Ju Chuang placed first in the Women’s 9km race. “I was very lucky because this was my second time joining trail running race and I won the race. I enjoyed every second of it because I could feel the breeze in the forests and mountains,’ said Ming Ju Chuang who finished the race in 1 hour 23 minutes and 18 seconds.

To minimise environmental damage to the historical route, the organizers operated a strict No Cup policy. Runners brought their own water bottles or hydration packs, as cups were not be provided. Action Asia Events will provided carboys sponsored by MaxPure. All participates received a T-shirts sponsored by Compressport and armbands sponsored by OtterBox. ROCKTAPE Taiwan also sponsored kinesiology tapes. Free taping services will be provided to all participants from 7a.m. so as to treat injuries and improve sports performance.

There were two categories open to the public a 9 km and 17 km. The race started at the Chi Nan Gong Main Hall Temple and the event organizing team hopes the participants would get more out  of Maokong rather than just its cable car.

The event could not happen without the generous support of the presenting sponsor OtterBox and other supporting partners Taiwan Tourism Bureau, ActionX Store, Compressport, Outside Magazine, AminoMax, Sebamed, Maxpure, Elmore Oil, TXG, Rocktape, Travel Expert, Chaiin Hotel, Taipei Metro Hash House Harriers, China Hash House Harriers, China Airlines, Loveisderma, NatureMade and Action Asia Foundation.

[Race Result]
2015 Otterbox Action Asia X-Trail Taiwan
17 km

Top 5 MEN
Name - Nationality – Team/Sponsor –Time
1. Petr Novotny - Czech Republic - Taiwan Beast Runners  -– 01:44:00
2. Guibert Léonard – France - 01:47:16
3. Ching Chou (周青) – Taiwan - 01:48:20
4. Sasha Tarasov - Russia - 01:48:43
5. Wei Fu Teng (鄧維富) - Taiwan – MERRELL野人幫 - 01:53:52

Top 5 WOMEN
Name - Nationality – Team/Sponsor - Time
1. Ruth Charlotte Croff – New Zealand – Garmin / TNF Taiwan - 01:57:33
2. Beate Krecklow – Germany - 02:13:10
3. Lily Wong (黃莉莉) – Taiwan - 02:38:08
4. Hyon Shim Chong - USA – Arab Hangook - 02:39:51
5. Hsiao Hui Lo (羅曉惠) – Taiwan – Feet with Wings - 02:40:12

9km
Taiwan －Shao Hong Yang (楊邵閎) －59:23
Taiwan －Ming Ju Chuang （莊明儒） – 01:23:18

FULL RESULTS (9km/17km) AND CATEGORY RESULTS - click PDF DOWNLOAD at

http://www.actionasiaevents.com/our-events/2015-otterbox-taiwan/overview.html

or

17 KM

https://www.racematix.com/site/#results:rac/Action-Asia-X-Trail-Taiwan-17k-2015

9 KM

https://www.racematix.com/site/#results:rac/Action-Asia-X-Trail-Taiwan-9k-2015

Event information:
Event Name    2015 - OtterBox Action Asia X-Trail Taiwan
Date    Sept 26, 2015 (Saturday)
Start Time    8:00 a.m.
Start Location    Chi Nan Gong Main Hall Temple, Maokong Area, Taipei
Distance    9km, 17km
Category    Trail Running
Course    http://www.actionasiaevents.com/our-events/2015-otterbox-taiwan/course.html#content

About Action Asia Foundation
Since its inception in 1997 the Action Asia Foundation has promoted the idea that outdoor activities can play a crucial part in fostering an individual’s personal development. Proceeds from the Action Asia Challenge and other fundraising events go to help the work of the Foundation. The goals of the Action Asia Foundation include:
•    Developing personal development opportunities for young people in Asia through organising outdoor adventure activities.
•    Raising the quality of life for disadvantaged young people in Asia by funding health clinics, schools and activity centres.
•    Promoting cultural interchange through adventure programmes and events.
•    Developing permanent facilities for youth adventure training

The Foundations achievements so far include funding a day-care and health facilities in Nepal, and organizing kayaking, climbing and other outdoor activities for handicapped and underprivileged youth in Hong Kong.

Press contact
For further information, images or interviews please contact Action Asia Events at:
http://www.actionasiaevents.com/about-us/action-asia-foundation.html

Please visit the Result page or OtterBox Taiwan Action Asia event in past events on toolbar and click download pdf section to check the whole result.

OtterBox動感亞洲越野賽─台灣站

 

OtterBox動感亞洲越野賽再襲貓空

狂野賽道極具挑戰

 

 

9月26日，台灣 – 初秋多雲，今晨8時24個國家的選手齊集於起點指南宮廟，OtterBox動感亞洲越野賽台灣站於貓空順利完賽。捷克選手Petr Novotny創造了三連冠的紀錄，成功以1小時44分的成績奪冠17公里組別。新西蘭Garmin & TNF女將Ruth Charlotte Croff以1小時32分46秒的成績衛冕17公里女子。14歲的台灣學生楊邵閎以59分23秒的成績，勇奪9公里總冠軍！

 

動感亞洲大賽組委會致力於發掘台灣隱世的生態文化美景，設計了一條包括二格山和猴山岳在內既充滿挑戰又別出心裁的越野跑道。今年賽事延續去年傳統，於指南宮廟起跑，分為9公里男女子公開組和17公里男女子分齡組兩個組別。

 

去年OtterBox動感亞洲越野賽台灣站17公里的冠軍，Taiwan Beast Runners「跑山獸」成員捷克選手Petr Novotny今次成功衛冕並創三連冠賽績，時間為1小時44分 。Petr分享賽後感言說：「我很激動，因為我連續三年贏得了台灣OtterBox動感亞洲的比賽總冠軍。本場比賽最吸引我的地方是二格山的部分。對我而言，因為包含了台灣野外風光、農場及自然山徑，雖然二格山大約6公里的賽道是難度最高的部分但也是風景最好的一段。」

 

【比賽結果】

OtterBox 動感亞洲越野賽 ﹣ 台灣站﹣ 2015年9月26日

17 公里

Top 5 men

Nationality – Team/Sponsor – Name - Time

Czech Republic - Taiwan Beast Runners  - Petr Novotny – 01:44:00

France – [-] - Guibert Léonard – 01:47:16

Taiwan – [-] - Ching Chou (周青) – 01:48:20

Russia – [-] - Sasha Tarasov - 01:48:43

Taiwan – MERRELL野人幫－Wei Fu Teng (鄧維富) - 01:53:52

 

Top 5 women

Nationality – Team/Sponsor – Name - Time

New Zealand – Garmin / TNF Taiwan - Ruth Charlotte Croff – 01:57:33

Germany – [-] - Beate Krecklow – 02:13:10

Taiwan – [-] - Lily Wong (黃莉莉) – 02:38:08

USA – Arab Hangook － Hyon Shim Chong - 02:39:51

Taiwan – Feet with Wings - Hsiao Hui Lo (羅曉惠) – 02:40:12

 

9公里男女冠軍

Taiwan – [-] －Shao Hong Yang (楊邵閎) －59:23

Taiwan – [-] －Ming Ju Chuang （莊明儒） – 01:23:18