Team Uglow Win Royale International Kayak n Run Opener

News Release / 03.06.2015

After a week of heavy rainstorm, the sun finally came out with a sold out race at the Royale International Kayak n Run at Deep Water Bay. Frenchmen Adrien Choux and Jerome Laboulais of team Uglow showed their paddling strength Saturday and grabbing top of the podium in a respectable 1 hour 34 minutes 48 seconds. Team 2XU-Patagonia (1 hour 37 minutes 56 seconds) and team AI's Diners (1 hour 41 minutes 12 seconds) rounded up the podium.

Continued their strong performance after winning the OtterBox Action Asia Challenge, Frenchmen Adrien Choux and Jerome Laboulais of Team Uglow were happy to have two wins in the same month. “We started a little bit too fast and we lost the rhythm at first. So we slowed down a bit to find back the right pace. We didn't go too hard on the kayaking part since it was quite hot and we needed to reserve energy for the run later. We knew that we are stronger on the run than kayak, so the tactic was to keep some strength for the last part", said Laboulais. "Jerome is a definitely a strong runner. We always try to help each other and it is one of the reasons why we have been racing together for years. We finished the kayak leg just behind the team AI diners and we grabbed the lead just before reaching check point 2 (near Wong Nai Chung Gap). Today's weather is a lot better compared to last year's. Would be perfect if added a little bit of rain" said Choux of Team Uglow.

Just over 3 minutes later arriving at the beach finish came team 2XU-Patagonia with Russian Olya Korzh and local Hong Kong runner Wong Wai Kin grabbing second overall and first in the mixed category. “Kin pushed me very hard and always shout at me during the race. It's fun to go across the tunnel and that's my favorite part of the course." Said Korzh. "Just relax and enjoy the race. I'm quite confident about the kayaking session since I'm a kayak instructor, but the trail running session was never easy to me. It was a tough course especially running uphill on the mount Nicholson. Would definitely love to sign up for the next (Royale International) Kayak n Run in June" said Wong. Team 2XU-Patagonia accomplished the task in 1 hour 37 minutes 56 seconds.

Grabbing 3rd place overall was team AI's Diners with Robbie Broomhead and Ruaraidh Smeaton finished in 1 hour 41 minutes 12 seconds. Broomhead and Smeaton were both on Robin Hood costumes today, creating a fun scene at the start and finish line, which Broomhead is famous for in previous Action Asia races. "Go deeper and harder, longer and stronger. Today's tactic was to really push on the kayak so we can get a good head start going onto the run. We tried to come down the stairs faster, but the mountain run was tough as ever, I could never catch my breath. Glad to see so many great runners today. Jerome and Adrien caught us on the first hill and Olya and Kin caught us just before we came down Mt Nicholson”, said Broomhead of team AI's Diners.

The top women’s team was Lam & Lui with local runners Lam Lai Po and Dennex Lui Lai Han finishing in 1 hour 54 minutes 23 seconds. "We bike and run together to keep ourselves in race shape. However we didn't come up with any strategy to win, but just wanted to try our best. Knowing that we are quite weak in kayaking so we tried to overtake others on the trail instead. Good fun and team spirit, can't wait for the next race coming up in June as we have already signed up for the Royale International Kayak n Run Discovery Bay" said Lui, a season adventure racer.

Before the adult teams had their hard fought battle, family teams had enjoyed their fun time on the 1.5km ocean kayak -2km run course filled with smiles and laughter. “This was my 2nd year participating in Action Asia's Kayak-n-Run events (both DBay and Deep Water Bay) with my 7 years old son, Welkin. He was excited about the race and I woke him up at 5:30am without any difficulty. There are running races out there for kids, but not much adventurous one; thanks Action Asia and Royale International for arranging the family category and the kayaking part made the whole event more adventurous and fun to my little boy, as well as other kids racing with happy faces today”, said Stanley Ng.

British Stuart Sharpless and Kailan Sharpless of father and son came first in family category finishing in 18 minutes 57 seconds. “Fourth time joining and four wins in a roll. My son Kailan fell off the boat when we were positioned in first at that time. We then became third after he got on the kayak again. Trying so hard to overpass the first two teams again and finally chased up to the second when we were about to finish the kayaking part. Kailan is eleven but he is definitely an engine. We do a lot of outdoor sports and we have always been racing together. We did the first race together when he was 5. This year we are planning to go back to the United Kingdom and run all the high peaks with Kailan’s sister as well", said Stuart Sharpless.

Race 1 of the 7th annual Royale International Kayak n Run series at Deep Water Bay had a full entry list with 60 adult teams and 53 family teams with the adult race covering a 4km ocean kayak, and 5km trail run, while the families had a 1.5km ocean kayak and 2km run. Race 2 will start at the Discovery Bay on Jun13, 2015.

TOP 3 OVERALL TEAMS – Royale International Kayak n Run – Deep Water Bay – May 30, 2015

1st        Uglow - Adrien Choux and Jerome Laboulais –1:34:48

2nd       2XU-Patagonia - Olya Korzh and Wong Wai Kin –1:37:56

3rd        AI's Diners - Robbie Broomhead and Ruaraidh Smeaton –1:41:12

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