OtterBox Action Asia Challenge
10th Annual OtterBox Action Asia Challenge
News Release / 12.05.2014
Some of Hong Kong’s best adventure racers will tackle dizzying heights and rugged mountain trails at May 18th. OtterBox Action Asia Challenge, now in its 16th year.
A hot pursuit for the podium is assured with last year’s winning pair, Cosmo Richards and Pierre Le Magnan, splitting up to race with other partners -Richards with Jeremy Ritcey and Le Magnan with Marcel Hagener.
“I'm really excited,” says adventure racing veteran Ritcey, also a top trail runner. This year will be his ninth AAC in Hong Kong in the past 10 years.
It will be the third time Richards and Ritcey team up since 2011 and 2012. “Both years we fought hard in very competitive fields and just barely pulled off the win each time. This year looks like another fierce battle!”
Last year Richards and Le Magnan blazed the field last year in 3 hours 27 minutes, a whole 23 minutes ahead of the next team. Who will be the winning team this year?
The event returns to the awe-inspiring Tai Lam area this year (as in 2006 and 2012). “I am stoked about the excellent flowing biking trails in the area and even more so about the especially slippery and technical river gorges,” adds Ritcey.
With the line up missing third place team Kurt Lynn and Andrew Thomson, eyes will be on last year’s team Team Ultim8 Adventure, Adrien Choux and Jerome Laboulais.
Adventure racers will take part in teams of two as they encounter 40 kilometres of trail running, mountain biking and river rock scrambling over tough and rugged mountain trails, combined with ocean kayaking.
For the first time this year, those not game enough for the Full Adventure category can also take part in two other categories: a 16km trail running race, and a combined 5 km ocean kayak and 7km trail run.
Meanwhile, those further back in the pack are looking forward to a challenging day. Eric Lim, a graphic designer, who’s partnering with wife Bobo Ng, a teacher, in team Meowloo have been training in preparation for the event. “ We were first introduced to the Action Asia Challenge by friends and it’s become a regular event for us. As my wife and I enjoy training together, we all value the opportunity that Action Asia Challenge offers and the chance to challenge our potential.”
There is still space for a handful of teams in the Full Adventure category and a few more runners in the trail running race. The popular Kayak’n’Run has already sold out.
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