Campbell and Saint Pé Storm Over Lantau 2 Peaks Skyrace Curtain Opener

Press Release / 01.10.2017

Action X Lantau 2 Peaks – a qualified Skyrace did not disappoint as the curtain opener raising the bar of not only the technical side but also with the highest humidity and heat in Hong Kong. Top local and international runner had a fierce and tough competition while many participants (solo and team) see this annual event as a chance to bond with friends and families and a signature race where they get to boost the team spirit and create new memories.

Debbie Bailey and Grace Lam, two best friends have been joining Lantau 2 Peaks for six consecutive years, starting from 2012. This event for them is more than a race especially with each other’s company. “We made sure we run this race together each year as it is a part of our friendship.” said Debbie Bailey. They were very happy with today’s weather and course. “The race was good with really nice weather at the beginning, there was a bit of cloud and a lot of breeze. The scenery was great too!” The two claimed they would definitely join next year’s race as their tradition and Debbie Bailey is also planning and looking forward to her fourth Mongolia Action Asia Ultra marathon next year.

Canadian Hong Kong resident Jeff Campbell flew down the technical course with close to 2000m elevation gain which covered Nei Lek Shan contour trail (564m), Ngong Ping Water CP1 (458m), Lantau Peak - Fung Wong Shan (934m), Pak Kung Au Water CP2 (331m) , Sunset Peak -Tai Tung Shan (807m),  Wong Lung Hang Country Trail stairs, Wong Lung Hang Road, Tung Chung Citygate and finished the whole race in 2 hours 47 minutes and 40 seconds, reaching the highest step of the podium of the 23km race. “Tough day out there. Lantau [2 Peaks] is so technical and intense. It was definitely a tough race for a tough group of runners. Top 3 runners were stuck together up to Ngong Ping, CP1. It was really tough running up sunset peak where I broke away. This is my first time competing in Lantau 2 Peaks and I’m very excited to grab the champion title,” said Campbell. When being asked about the view, “The view was beautiful but I had to concentrate on race the entire time and didn’t have time to enjoy too much. I also want to thank the organizer and all the volunteers,” he shared.

Only 3 minutes 56 seconds behind the winner, Austrian Michael Skobierski was next to finish at the Lantau 2 peaks letting everybody know how tough the course was. “It’s my third time participating in the [Lantau 2 Peaks] race. Last year I also joined the 23km but didn’t get a satisfying result because of my injury. I was hoping to complete the race in three hours this time while ranking is not that important so I’m very happy with my performance today. The race is tough due to the ups and downs and the fast speed, at some point I was struggling and over-heating but I kept pushing myself. I enjoyed reaching the top of the Lantau peak the most because it was fresh and windy and the rest of the race was relatively easy,” he said.

Irish runner Kevin F Scallan came in third place as last year, finishing in 2 hours 54 minutes 59seconds, right behind Skobierski (3 minutes 23 seconds apart). Scallan thinks the race was tough and challenging and he enjoyed the race very much: “I feel very good. I remember I got injured at the bottom of Lantau last year so it was quiet a slow finish. This year I just slowed a lot when coming down Michael [Skobierski] and I were pretty much together when coming up but I got four minutes late when coming down. It’s a lot of time to lose over that distance but I am still happy to finish the third especially with the stunning scenery.”

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For the Women’s battle, French runner Emilie Saint Pé came through Checkpoint one in 1 hour 8 minutes and 58 seconds, passing checkpoint two after 2 hours and 24 minutes, finished the race 3 hours 42 minutes 53 seconds wining the female champion title. “I started trail running five years ago. I did the race last year and I didn’t expect the result at all because I know the Lantau 2 Peaks is a very challenging race with a lot of great Hong Kong runners. My goal today was just to finish the race. I am very surprised. My target time was 4 hours but I think I did it twenty minutes below my target time. I’m really satisfied with it. Lantau 2 Peaks is amazing and I really like the Sunset Peak because when you arrive at the top, you can see the Buddha clearly. It’s like you are at the natural heart of Hong Kong which is totally different from the concrete jungle,” she said she will come back for another battle at Lantau 2 Peaks next year and improve on her finishing time.

 The Hong Kong local runner Yee Ting Kwan finished the course in 3 hours 45 minutes 2 seconds, came in second in Women’s category. This is her second time taking part in Lantau 2 Peaks. Ms. Kwan expressed her excitement of the race: “Sunset peak was my favorite part as that was the final part of the race. After I got up to the peak, it was a huge relief, and it felt great.” She also shared that the most challenging part was at the beginning in terms of the intensive up-hills.

Australian runner Sherrin Loh, reaching checkpoint two after 1 hour 11 minutes and 53 seconds and went through checkpoint one at 2 hours 22 minute was the third reaching the podium of the Women’s category, finishing the course in 3 hours 55 minutes 37 seconds. “I was satisfied with my performance at the beginning, but unfortunately I fell at the top of Sunset which slowed me down a little bit, and led to a bit of struggle.” Sherrin also found the course very challenging “The course was tough and full of technical stuff, it may sometimes made you fall, but that’s all the race was about!” she said. Not only had Sherrin showed her satisfaction towards her performance, she was also enjoying the course “The scenery was amazing when I got to the top, and my favorite part was running down from Lantau Peak. That was fun!” As a regular podium finisher in numerous Action Asia Events races, she said she would definitely join again next year.

The event could not happen without the generous support of Action X Store the presenting sponsor and the supporting partners Skyrunner® National Series, Plantronics, Gatorade, Watsons water, Citygate Outlets, Hong Kong Chiropractors Association (HKCA) and Action Asia Foundation.