Tamang And Rai Win Skyrunning Asian Championship Ultra Race

News Release / 07.02.2015

MSIG Sai Kung 50 is proud to have been selected as the official race of the Skyrunning Asian Championship. This is the last race of the MSIG 4 ultra Skyrunning race series which has seen the previous additions taken part on Hong Kong Island and Lantau. The MSIG Sai Kung 50 is a qualifying event for the UTMB and the Skyrunning series with points up for grabs in the 50km (Ultra Skymarathon) and 28km (Skyrace) categories. Over a thousand runners started the race in Pak Tam Chung, Sai Kung this morning.
 
“This is the first time in Asia to host a Skyrunning Championship Race. It has attracted a host of international world class runners descending into Hong Kong to try and claim the Asian title whilst accumulating points to be crowned world champion at the end of the World Series” says Michael Maddess, Director of Action Asia Events, the organizer of Skyrunning Asian Championship.
 
Japanese Salomon runner Dai Matsumoto finished the 28k race in 2hours 49 minutes and 23second becomes the champion of 28k (Skyrace) category. 'Amazing race, but not too hard in terms of the course difficulties. The trails are quite narrow and with all the bushes covering the roads, making the race much more exciting.' Said Matsumoto.
 
Another Japanese runner Kondo Yoshihito becomes the second in 28k, completed the course in 2hours 51 minutes and 41seconds, making Japanese proud. 'It was a surprise for me to have such a good result in the race. I had a fierce competition with Dai during the race and he is such a strong runner. I am very glad to be the first runner up after all.' Said Yoshihito.

Italian team runner Macro De Gasperi of Forestale and Scott accomplished the course in 2hours 54minutes and 32 seconds placing third in the 28k skyrace. Although De Gasperi had a great performance in the race, he was a bit disappointed on his result. 'The course is very tough and challenging. Really love it. However I made a mistake by missing the course and I realized it until I saw Dai, the Japanese runner coming in front of me running down the hill. I probably wasted 4 minutes until I found the right way. If time can turn back, I would do everything to avoid the mistake.' Said De Gasperi.
 
In women's 28k category, Italian Elisa Desco of Scott team was a strong force comes first in the race. Desco finished the course in 3hours 41minutes and 2seconds. 'The course is very challenging for me because there were lots of up hills and down hills. Unlike those in Italy, we usually climb up one main mountain. I'm not used to the hilly terrain and it makes the course very technical to me.' Said Desco.
 
French runner Stephanie Jimenez of Salomon comes second in women's 28k. Jimenez finished the course 43 seconds after Desco. 'This is the first time I run in Hong Kong and I enjoyed the course so much especially the hilly terrain. I personally think that the last 8km is the hardest. Overall, I love the countryside in Hong Kong and I am so looking forward to visit Hong Kong again.' Said Jimenez.
 
Japanese runner Kanako Hasegawa placed third in women's 28k. Hasegawa finished the course in 3hours 56minutes and 25 seconds. 'This course is very different than those in Japan back in my hometown. It is more technical, and the surface is generally harder than the trail in Japan. My goal for this year is to become the first female Japanese skyrunner, and I really hope I can make it.' Said Hasegawa.
 
Nepalese runner Samir Tamang won the champion in 50k completed the course in 4hours 58minutes and 40seconds. 'Such an honor to become the champion, but I didn't finish the course within my estimated time. I have been to Hong Kong once before for a 100k race and this is my first 50k in HK. It marked a good start of the year in 2015!' Said Tamang.
 
Yan Long Fei of Salomon, top runner from China who won the previous 2 races in the series the MSIG HK50 and MSIG Lantau 50 finishing in 5hours 11minutes and 50seconds, came second in the 50k race. 'I chose to follow some of the strong runners as usual and I guess I followed the wrong person this time. I realized there were two people ahead of me at the very last bit of the race and that was too late for me to overpass them both. I enjoyed the race overall especially the view at the hilltop.' Said Yan.
 
Spanish runner Cristofer Clemente sponsored by Land finished in 5hours 15 minutes and 7seconds placed third in the 50k category. 'I had a stomach ache during the race so I couldn't perform my best this time I would say. I like the mountain and the beach. I’m hoping that I will have better performance in the coming Skyrunning race in Australia.' Said Clemente.
 
In 50k women's, Mira Rai from Nepal wins champion, finishing in 5 hours 39minutes and 31seconds. 'Just heard that I was ahead of many strong men, I am very happy. I am happy with my result and thanks Michael Maddess of Action Asia Events, the organizer that invited me. I really enjoyed my experience and loved this MSIG Sai Kung 50 course.' Said Rai.
 
Dong Li from China of Salomon China team grabbed the second in women's 50k, finishing in 6hours 49seconds. 'I had insomnia last night and that affected my performance. The first half was quite relaxing to me. It started to get tough when I reached CP4. I even fell down during the race and got hurt. I enjoyed the race because I came here to have fun. It's surprising to place 2nd and I am so happy with it.' Said Dong.
 
Kasie Enman from the U.S., the top Salomon runner placed third in 50k women's finishing in 6hours 13minutes and 57seconds. 'Haven't been doing any specific training for this race because it is winter time for me back in my home, all the trails are covered with snow. Plus the jet lag is real here so this race is very challenging to me. I love the combination of the course, with beaches and mountains. It is really interesting to me.' Said Enman.
 
The top Chinese man and woman (based on placing) will have an opportunity to represent China in the Skyrunning world championships in 2015.
 
Action Asia Events is thankful to the title sponsor MSIG Insurance (Hong Kong) Limited, and other sponsors the ActionX Store, Salomon, OtterBox, Bonaqua, Key Sun Zinke, Skins, Oregon Scientific, International Trail Running Association, Skyrunning Running Champs Asia, the China Skyrunning Association, Herbalgy, Salonpas, Oldham Li & Nie Lawyers, Pearl’s, AroundDB, Action Asia Foundation, Holiday Inn, GoPro, St John, Rocktape, AG Natural Health, Expat Parent, YMCA, Sweet Angel and Nutrition Asia.

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