Action Asia Series to Visit 5 Countries

Rob / 25.09.2003

The Action Asia Challenge Adventure race series is back, bigger and more technically challenging than ever, and starts again very soon with round one in Hong Kong. The series will then extend to four Asian countries, culminating in a fifth race in the exciting new venue of Dubai.

The first race of the new series is on October 5th in Hong Kong and is sponsored by the Tourism Board who want to show off Hong Kong as a ‘Clean and Green’ city. The race will cover 40 kms, and in addition to the usual running, hiking, ocean kayaking, climbing, abseiling and mountain biking, course designer, Michael Maddess, is promising rigorous surprise elements to test the teams’.

“The race traverses some of Hong Kong’s most stunning coastline and trail landscapes, including river gullies that we’ve just explored, and some new mystery elements in terrain and water,” says Maddess. He’s included the highest abseil and longest zip line in the history of Action Asia Challenge races, and an ocean kayak section with a twist – one member of each three member team must remain in the water while the other two paddle.

“Teams will compete non-stop for six to eight hours, but we’ve designed the course to appeal to athletes of all levels, from first time adventure racers to seasoned competitors.” He added. “First time racers will have an opportunity to compete with top mountain bikers, for instance, and still be able to complete the course,”

In addition to the main adventure race, the event has expanded into a sports and recreation day out for the whole family. An adventure concourse is being designed and features a mini-challenge race for kids, exhibitions, and demonstrations of everything from mountain biking to wall climbing, in-line skating and zip-lining. There are mystery nature treks through the trails of one of Hong Kong’s most stunning country parks and loads of surprise hands-on events aimed at getting everyone, of all ages, in on the action.

The event, billed as the Samsung Action Asia Challenge and Family Fun Day, will carry on to Taiwan in November where organisers are expecting a high turn out. The series then moves on to Brunei, Malaysia and the new race in Dubai. This will be the first race in that country, and as the final of the series will require qualification or an invitation to enter. All the races are open to 3 person teams in 5 categories – Mixed, Masters, Open Men’s, Open Women’s and University.

The Challenge started as a single race in Hong Kong in 1998 drawing 210 competitors and has since grown to become Asia’s premier adventure racing series with some 2,500 local, regional and international competitors expected for the 2003 - 2004 series. All proceeds from the events are donated to local and regional charities including the Action Asia Foundation

For more information visit the Action Asia Challenge website.