Race Media

Action SPRINT Trail Series 2023

April 16, 2023 - Action SPRINT Trail – Discovery Bay

April 29, 2023 - Action SPRINT Trail – Sai Kung

May 14, 2023 - Action SPRINT Trail – Repulse Bay

Ixel’s trip to Hong Kong pays dividends cracking Discovery Bay Action Sprint record while Williams chalks up another Women’s title for 7^th win

Action Sprint Trail Series kicks off in Discovery Bay

 

HONG KONG, Sunday, April 16, 2023 – Race 1 of the Action Sprint trail series by Action Asia Events kicked off on Lantau Island after a 4 year absence over 250 runners entered the Action SPRINT Trail race at Discovery Bay which was more like an adventure race with participants sprinting up the 465m Lo Fu Tau (Tigers Head), screaming down a narrow technical descent to the reservoir, a contour trail around the golf course which was so technical some called it a Skyrunning course, jumping in the ocean at Nim Shu Wan with a coasteering rock scrambling beach run with an option to pickup garbage on the beach before a final sprint back into the South Plaza for a total elevation gain of almost 600m packed into 12km.

On a 5-day trip to Hong Kong, Australian Vlad Ixel made the most of his Hong Kong visit putting a lot of energy into a full out run up a steep Lo Fu Tau climb while majority in the field could only hike gaining valuable time, before a flat out technical downhill, blasting past the checkpoint with no need to stop carrying his own water flask full of Bix, navigating his way past some of the slower 9km runners on the narrow golf course technical trail dominating the field in a blistering 1 hour 6 minutes 51 seconds lowering his own course record.

“Yeh it was tough as you have that big climb at the beginning, then you have all the views making it worth it, beautiful, beautiful trail, perfect conditions, mix of uphill technical trails, technical downhills, amazing views and amazing atmosphere. Hope to back next year” said Ixel winning (and lowering the course record) at the Discovery Bay leg of the Action Sprint trail series for his 3^rd time (also 2016 & 2019).

After giving birth to 5 children spaced out between a record amount of 6 wins over 8 years 2012-2019 British national Zein Williams was back to show she can still kick the younger girls butt and doing all the mothers proud by winning in 1 hour 26 minutes 2 seconds.

“Oh I love this course. It always means a lot when racing on Lantau as so many friends here to keep me on my toes. Great course, great marking, awesome marshals, nice idea to pick up some garbage on the beach near the end and love the atmosphere” said the overall Women winner Williams for her record 7^th win on the course which will go in the history books and be hard to beat.

With the sun out and the mercury climbing those still out on the course after 2 hours really started to pay the price as temperatures hit close to 30c for the first time this year with many wishing they had loaded up with more water at the checkpoint as the only good news was the final coasteering beach section runners had a chance to dip themselves in the ocean to cool down.

Second across the line in the Men’s 12km was British national Matthew Carey in 1 hour 13 minutes 39 seconds.

”Happy coming in 2^nd in todays race as super good course, very technical, bit of a spit near the end as cut my leg, lost my headphones, but it was totally worth it. Great marking, super great race, tough up Tigers Head, but really good to get it done and finish in DB Plaza” said Carey finishing 2^nd overall in the Men’s 12km.

Second in the Womens was Spanish national Ainoa Mombiela. In 1 hour 33 minutes 3 seconds.

“Great fun as this trail was very a fast course, hot, but super nice going up with great views. Had great fun around the golf course trail. Nice swimming in the ocean, great day, great race and had a lot of fun”, said 2^nd Women overall Mombiela.

Third in the Men’s was Hong Kong’s Jeffrey Cho Yu Hin in 1 hour 20 minutes 18 seconds

“Great day out at the Action Asia Sprint as very sunny, lots of fun on a technical route and great job to organizers for a great race,” said Cho after coming 3^rd overall in the Men’s 12km.

Third in the Women’s 12k was Karen Hung in 1 hour 34 minutes 40 seconds.

Fourth in the Men’s 12k was Will who took a few minutes to catch his breath and rehydrate at the finish who definitely felt the heat. “Really tough course today as lots of elevation, lots of technical stuff, had to watch where you put you feet, but worst of all was the temperature and humidity. Very tough. But all good” said Will who like many wished the temperature was a few degrees cooler.

It was great to see Wong Mei Yan grabbing 5^th after a busy year grabbing previous podium results at earlier Action Asia races. “Today’s weather was very hot, but happy I finished.  I liked to jump into the ocean (final coasteering beach section with 2km remaining in race) because it was so hot and helped cool me down on a very hot day” said Wong who finished 5^th overall in the Women’s 12km Sprint in 1 hour 43minutes 28 seconds.

The event is possible due to the generous support of Hong Kong Resorts, Royale International, Bonaqua, Action X Store, Bix, Torq, C3fit, Del Monte, Fitz, St Johns Ambulance, Ocean Recovery Alliance and Action Asia Sports Academy

Academy and all the staff, marshals and volunteers that helped bring back 3 large bags of garbage collected on the beach after the event.

Race Results

12km - Top 5 Men

Name - Nationality - Team/Sponsor - Finishing Time

1. (1) -  Vlad Ixel - Australia – Bix Hydration - 01:06:51

2. (834) - Matthew Carey - UK - 01:13:39

3. (128) - Yu Hin Jeffrey 宇軒 Cho 曹 - HKG - The Peak Hunter - 01:20:18

4. (138) - Will Dalling - South Africa - 01:22:19

5. (111) - Louis Montfort - France - 01:25:49

12km - Top 5 Women

Name - Nationality - Team/Sponsor - Finishing Time

1.  (2) - Zein Williams - UK / HKG - 01:26:02

2. (168) - Ainoa Mombiela - Spain - 01:33:03

3. (162) - Karen 書揚 Hung 熊 - HKG - 01:34:40

4. (77) - Alina ilyn Vaso - Philippines - 01:42:35

5. (3) - Mei yan 美欣 Wong 黃 - HKG - 01:43:28

 

9km - Top 5 Men

Name - Nationality - Team/Sponsor - Finishing Time

1. (601) Limbu Yamanath - Nepal - Actionpanda & Chamonix  - 00:49:48

2. (363) Creighton Connolly - Canada - Gone Runners - 00:57:08

3. (342) Chi Yeung 志洋 Chow 周 - HKG - Team LA Fitness - 01:00:13

4. (362) Pak Iu 伯銚 Fok 霍 - HKG - The Peak Hunter - 01:00:33

5. (615) Wu Yin 護然 Wong 黃 - HKG - 01:07:20

9km - Top 5 Women

Name - Nationality - Team/Sponsor - Finishing Time

1. (340) Laetitia Montfort - France - 01:12:36

2. (112) Anna Sykes - UK - 01:12:50

3. (323) Ma Aurora Cabania - Philippines - 01:14:19

4. (355) Wan Yan Gloria 韻茵 Chu 朱 - HKG - 01:19:32

5. (612) Rebecca Wright - UK - 01:26:59

 

Race Info

 

 

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 290 events over the past 23 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.

For more race details, please visit below: 

www.actionasiaevents.com 

 

www.facebook.com/ActionAsiaEvent/

 

www.instagram.com/actionasiaevents/

 

www.youtube.com/user/ActionAsiaEvents

 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-asia-events/