Action Asia Kayak n Run – Putting Something Back into the Community

Please Select / 03.09.2017

 With tropical cyclone Mawar narrowly missing Hong Kong, it was all smiles at the second leg of the annual Action Asia Kayak n Run Series Deep Water Bay with team Boaty McBoatface (Iona Gladstone and Xen Gladstone) inspiring many families to complete the family course in 23 minutes while team Invaders (Joseluis Alvelais and Romain Demare) snatching top spot of the Adult podium with a blistering time of 1 hour 34 minutes 31 seconds on the 4km Ocean Kayak and 5 km mountain technical trail run.

​Organizer Action Asia Events together with the official charity Action Asia Foundation always try to put something back into the community and Deep Water Bay was no exception with smiles on the faces of many children from Hong Chi Winifred Mary Cheung Morninghope School. The children were all taken out on a kayak course with experienced instructors for short little races, group photos and giving all a sense of encouragement and an inspiration. All children thoroughly enjoyed the whole outdoor experience and the rare taste of nature.

In the main Action Asia Kayak n Run Adult race, Joseluis Alvelais and Romain Demare of team Invaders faced all race challenges finding all the checkpoints with strong team spirit and grabbing the win (1:34:31) ahead of Team Uglow (Adrien Choux and Jerome Laboulais - 1:40:07) who were in a battle for second place finishing 27 seconds ahead of the third place team Langkawi (Dominic Edmondson and Rob Turnbull - 1:40:30).

Team Invaders were satisfied with the result and excited to finish overall champions. “The race was challenging and amazing overall. Romain [Demare] has been pushing me all the way and the result is great. We are a good team!” said Alvelais. “I predicted we could get in top 3 because I knew Alvelai is strong,” said Demare. Both also have spoken highly of the chance provided for the disadvantaged kids to build teamwork spirit at the Action Asia Kayak Charity Event.

Before the adult teams had their hard-fought battle, family teams had a fun time bright and early for the 7:30 a.m. start in the 3 km ocean kayak - 2.5km run course with cheering and laughter as they navigated their way down Deep Water Bay towards middle island and returned for a run along the Mills and Chung Path towards Ocean Park direction with nice ocean views and finishing back at Deep Water Bay.

Emphasizing how much fun those in the family category had, team Boaty McBoatface (Iona Gladstone and Xen Gladstone) “We are so delighted. We had a really fun race. A good start in the paddle and then we were just trying to get our very tired legs moving on the run!” said the father, Xen Gladstone. “I liked the kayaking part the most because I just like to be in the water,” said the little girl Iona Gladstone who is also looking forward to having a family race with her mom and the younger sister next year. Team Boaty McBoatface were also one of the strong family teams at last year’s Discovery Bay Action Asia Kayak n Run race.

The Action Asia Kayak n Run Series could not happen without the generous support of Action X Store, C3fit, Gatorade, OL&N and Action Asia Foundation.

The Action Asia Charity Kayak Event could not happen without the support of VRC, Hong Chi Winifred Mary Cheung Morninghope School and Action Asia Foundation.