Lantau 2 Peaks

Ixel and Williams Claim Gold in Lantau 2 Peaks 2016

Press Release / 03.10.2016

Hong Kong, October 2, 2016, At 7:30 this morning, Lantau 2 Peaks™ 2016 witnessed over one thousand trail runners setting off at Citygate, Tung Chung. Lantau 2 Peaks ™”, like the name says, reaches the 2ndand 3rd highest peak of Hong Kong’s highest peaks on Lantau Island – Sunset Peak and Lantau Peak. Runners traversed a technical course with steep up-hills and descends.  

Australian the North Face runner Vlad Ixel grabbed the overall champion title in 2 hours 49 minutes and 17 seconds.  “It’s hard, it’s short but it’s hard. There were some technical running, but the end, the last downhill, that was a killer, as your legs were so tired and you just kept going and going, and then you hit the road, your legs were like jelly,” said Ixel. It was Vlad Ixel’s the first time competing in the Lantau 2 Peaks race.  When asked about the view, he continued, “The scenery is really beautiful here, it’s a very nice trail and my favourite part is definitely the finish line. Although I’m really tired because of my work and training recently, somehow I pushed through it. My body is so painful right now, even just lying here, it’s painful.”

Canadian runner Jeremy Ritcey, the Salomon HK team member grabbed the first runner-up in 2 hours 52 minutes 20 seconds. “It’s the fifth time for me to participate in Lantau 2 peaks. I hold the record on this direction from 4 years ago when the course was 21km and today was my second best performance on this course. I was really surprised that I had this result and over joyed with how my legs worked today,” he said. Jeremy Ritcey also expressed his feeling towards the course, “The last downhill is my favorite part. I’ve got up to the top of Sunset peak and it was a huge relief. I liked the technical downhill where I could just let it go and that’s what I am best at and also the part I enjoyed the most. The scenery was amazing along the beautiful course,” he said.

Irish runner Kevin F Scallan came in third place, finishing in 2 hours 55 minutes 12 seconds. Scallan trains with the JD/GR team and this was his very first time participating in this race. Scallan thinks the course is very tough and challenging, “I don’t think any of it was easy to be honest especially the first climb.” Despite that, Scallan still enjoyed the race very much. He especially loved running pass the finishing line because he gets to sit down and talk. When asked about how he was preparing for the race, he mentioned that he runned quite a bit over the summer and had done a few events. “I Definitely loved the course. it’s a good test and a good challenge. I will definitely be joining again next year,” said Scallan.

British Raidlight runner Zein Williams won the female champion and finished the race in 3 hours 20 minutes 59 seconds. She is very grateful to just come over and finish the race. “It was so brutal. It’s honestly probably the hardest race in terms of distance and heights. There aren’t any other races in Hong Kong that have more than two thousand meter elevation in 23 km like Lantau 2 Peaks. Because even in Lantau 50, it has two thousand and five hundred elevation difference but it is much longer,” said Williams, “It was so nice out there, there were good markings. The race overall was really great and fun.”

The Australian runner Sherrin Loh finished the course in 3 hours 33 minutes 34 seconds, came in second in Women’s category. She expressed her excitement after the race, “it was really a dramatic race that in such short distance you needed to run up to such a height and such climbs-ups and such insane descends-down. I loved all summits and descends, they were so much fun,” said Loh. This race means a lot to her, “It’s such a great race, I really enjoyed it. It’s a great start of the season; it makes me know what goals to set for the season,” she said.

The Filipinos runner Baby Marites Sotto Bitbit, the North Face Adventure Team member grabbed the second runner-up in women’s category in finishing in 3 hours 44 minutes 47 seconds. “I’ve been in Hong Kong for more than four years, and I love Hong Kong. It’s my third time participating in Lantau 2 peaks. Three years ago, I took part in Lantau 2 peaks for the first time and won the third place as well. I likedthe downhill part the most because I’m a mountain biker so I have good balance. Although I enjoyed the climbs, I still need to train more on up-hills. I really enjoyed the view while racing,” she said.

As a signature race in Hong Kong, participants climbed and descended Sunset Peak (third highest summit in Hong Kong) running over 800m in elevation and Lantau Peak (934m) with runners summiting before contouring around Nei Lek Shan before descending to Tung Chung at sea level. Participants climbed a combined elevation gain of 1987m and combined elevation loss of 1988m with a total elevation gain loss of 3975m. Lantau Peak offers one of the best views in Hong Kong, so runners can enjoy the breath-taking view during the race.

Action Asia Events is thankful to the supporting sponsors ActionX Store, OtterBox, Skyrunner® National Series, Salonsip, Gatorade, Herbalgy, Del Monte, Watsons water, Hong Kong Chiropractors Association (HKCA), OL&N and Action Asia Foundation.