Race Media

Dutchman Vriens pipping local favorites in Men’s while Hong Kong’s Cheung dominates 

Hong Kong 50 series under way - Dutchman Vriens pipping local favorites in Men’s while Hong Kong’s Cheung dominates Women’s field

HONG KONG, October 22, 2022 – The Hong Kong 50 (Race 1 of 4 race series) got off to a blistering start up on the Peak with wave starts separating the 50km and 24km runners in the sold-out Action Asia field of close to 500 with requirements to wear face masks at the start, perform PCR tests within 48hrs, do a morning RAT test and make sure all had a blue code on their Leave Home Safe App.

In the 50km ultra marathon category it was the Dutchman’s turn this year with Lodewijk Adriaan Vriens having a battle with strong local competition of Chan Ka Keung (陳家強) and Wong Kwok Wai (黃國威) as the Dutchman paced himself within reach of Chan and Wong using his 2021- 4th place finish to pace himself well letting the locals battle it out, then trading places near the middle of the course, before making his move on the 2nd half of the course involving more hills and single technical track over the last 15 km together with more exposed areas making it difficult to shelter from Saturday’s burning sun. The Dutchman praised the marking, marshal support and competitive environment along the course saying, “Today’s race was really, really cool as really, phenomenal feeling. It’s a really, tough course, but had a lot of fun, the organizers did great, really good spirit out there and some really good competition. Enjoyed it” said Vriens taking the overall 50km Men’s title in 4 hours 47 minutes 21 seconds.

One of Hong Kong’s top up and coming runners, Chan Ka Keung (陳家強) known as “KC” to his friends had a very strong finish putting the hammer down on the final 1km giving it everything to squeeze by Wong Kwok Wai on the narrow catchwater with only a few hundred meters remaining for an epic finish. “I was happy with a strong finish catching Wong Kwok Wai who tried very hard also at the end. The race was really exciting and the scenery on the last 20km was beautiful which made the change of scenery from my home training area in Tsuen Wan very different. Coming down Jardine’s Lookout I took a fall kicking a step, but bruised it off and kept pushing as was top 3 at the time. Only on the catchwater in the last few hundred meters of the race I managed to just get by Wong sprinting as hard as I could just before the finish as I think he wasn’t too happy about that, but he was so strong” said Chan finishing 2nd overall in the Men’s 50km in 4:55:46.

Crossing the finish line in 3rd overall in the Men’s 50km, you could see the disappoinment in the face of Wong Kwok Wai 黃國威 who ran a fantastic race leading and trading places for almost half, running brilliantly always within striking distance of the Dutchman and Chan, but just didn’t have the legs the last few hundred meters to hold off the full tilt attack by Chan. Any runner who knows the feeling can relate as towards the end when energy reserves are depleted all you want to do is hold position and cross the finish while hoping nobody is around you in such a long 50km ultra marathon. “The overall feeling for the race was great. The beginning was smooth and I had a great pace. The view from the peak is wonderful as always as a stunning course with the weather today. Towards the end, temperature rose, so it was very tough. The end was very hard, but I roughed it through, it was very fun” said Wong finishing 29 seconds behind Chan in 4:56:13.

Fourth in the Men’s 50km was Alexandre Neyrinck (UK) in 5:15:12 with ‘Stone’ Tsang Siu Keung 曾小強 (HKG) finishing in 5:15:34 in a close battle.

Karen Cheung Man Yee (張敏怡) dominated the Women’s field winning in a comfortable 5 hours 30 minutes 38 as was more in a battle with the Men around her and smiling the whole way. “Overall for the race was great. I thought my run was very smooth. The weather is good and I was happy with my performance. I am very happy to be able to run in a physical race like this as enjoyed it so much being around others in competition. Hope in the future, I can participate more in Action Asia’s Events”, said the overall Women’s 50km winner Cheung Man Yee finishing in 5:30:38.

Second crossing the line in the Women’s 50km was Wong Mei Ying 黃美英 in 6:01:53. “The HK50 was well organized, weather was great, no complaints and thank you Action Asia” said Wong talking about her 50km experience.

Third on the Women’s 50km podium was South African Deena Schwan who is a relatively new ultra-runner as she decided just over a year ago to start taking her training a bit more serious loving the feeling of just not stopping and going on as far as possible, due to all the positive mental vibes trail running gives her. “Great day out on HK50 today, perfect conditions, sunny, Jardine’s was a bit of a struggle, but otherwise was great to see everyone out there smiling, so thank you Action Asia” said South African Deena Schwan finishing in 6:14:22.

Fourth in the Women’s 50km was Chamelia Suhra (Indonesia) finishing in 6:45:43 with the fifth 50km Women Alice McLeod (UK) in 6:50:13.

The classic and challenging HK50 course designed by Michael Maddess of Action Asia Events starts from the Peak Galleria (396m) and covers some of the most technical hilly trails along Hong Kong Island. The first 24km follows the Hong Kong Trail from the Peak to Wong Nai Chung Gap, with an additional loop of Mount Bennet in Aberdeen Country Park. The course then becomes more technical and challenging, with a big loop following Sir Cecil Ride and up Mount Parker Road to Quarry Gap Tai Fung Au, Boa Vista trail, Mt Butler (436m), Jardine Lookout (433m), followed by a loop of Violet Hill (438m), finishing at Wong Nai Chung Gap for just over 1500m elevation gain and 1700m elevation loss in the 50km trail race.

Special thanks to partners Bonaqua water, Royale International courier, Action X store, SaveWo, ISF, Fitz, ITRA, CEO House, C3Fit, St Johns Ambulance and all the staff and course marshals that will get out of bed early to make the event happen.

Full details at www.actionasiaevents.com under HK50.

Action Asia Events next approved race will be Sunday November 13 with the Hysan Hike & Run starting and finishing in Happy Valley, Hong Kong Island. Then it’s on to the Race 2 of the HK50 series - Lantau 50 on Dec 10, 2022.

END

RESULTS

50 km - Top 5 MEN
Position / Bib# / First Name Last Name / Age Category / Nationality / Sponsor /Time

1 (244) Lodewijk Adriaan Vriens Men 18-39 Netherlands - 04:47:21
2 (265) Ka Keung 家強 Chan 陳 Men 18-39 HKG T8 04:55:46
3 (235) Kwok Wai 國威 Wong 黃 Men 18-39 HKG - 04:56:13
4 (243) Alexandre Neyrinck Men 18-39 UK TTRC 05:15:12
5 (301) Siu Keung 小強 Tsang 曾 Men 40-49 TNF HKG - 05:15:34

50 km - Top 5 WOMEN
Position / Bib# / First Name Last Name / Age Category / Nationality / Sponsor /Time

1 (215) Man Yee 敏怡 Cheung 張 Women 18-39 HKG - 05:30:38
2 (305) Mei Ying 美英 Wong 黃 Women 40-49 HKG - 06:01:53
3 (203) Deena Schwan Women 18-39 South Africa Gone Runners 06:14:22
4 (271) Chamelia Suhra Women 40-49 Indonesia Joint dynamics - GONE Running 06:45:43
5 (192) Alice McLeod Women 18-39 UK - 06:50:13

24 km - Top 5 MEN
Position / Bib# / First Name Last Name / Age Category / Nationality / Sponsor /Time

1 (683) Wai Hung 偉雄 Wong 黃 Open Men HKG DUO 01:58:18
2 (657) Rayda Kezaz Open Men France GAZELLE RUNNING CLUB 01:58:52
3 (527) Sebastian Cotton Open Men UK Gone Runners 01:59:18
4 (655) Matthew Carey Open Men UK - 02:00:22
5 (642) Nicolas Foucher Open Men France Pinot Noir 02:00:45


24 km - Top 5 WOMEN
Position / Bib# / First Name Last Name / Age Category / Nationality / Sponsor /Time

1. (633) Mei Yan 美欣 Wong 黃 Open Women HKG - 02:19:38
2. (561) Sian O' Connor Open Women Ireland - 02:33:06
3. (656) Jodie Crisp Open Women UK - 02:35:12
4. (586) Hannah Bainbridge Open Women UK - 02:36:59
5. (742) Katherine Lim Open Women HKG Greenobo 02:38:14

Full results at https://www.actionasiaevents.com/results.html

Race Info

Event Name	HK50 Series - Hong Kong Island
Date	Oct 22, 2022 (Saturday)
Start Time	7:00 am (50km) 7:01am (24km) – WAVE STARTS
Start Location	Peak Galleria, The Peak, Hong Kong Island
Distance	24km, 50km
Category	Trail Running, Fast Hiking
Website	www.actionasiaevents.com

 

2022/2023 HK50 Series

Race 1 - Oct 22, 2022 - HK50 – HK Island
Race 2 - Dec 10, 2022 - Lantau 50
Race 3 - Jan 28, 2023 - HK50 West – Shing Mun/Tai Mo Shan
Race 4 - Feb 11, 2023 - Sai Kung 50

 

More Race Details at:

www.actionasiaevents.com 

www.facebook.com/ActionAsiaEvent/

www.instagram.com/actionasiaevents/

www.youtube.com/user/ActionAsiaEvents

 

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. 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.