Bonaqua Action Sprint Adventure Run- Discovery Bay
Williams Grabs Third Women’s Title in the Row
News Release (Action Asia) / 29.04.2015
The final leg of the Bonaqua Action Adventure Run Sprint Series was held Sunday April 26th at Discovery Bay, Lantau Island with over 400 participants registering in the final race. British Raidlight team member Zein Williams grabs the women’s title. Today she continued her two year streak with 6 wins in the row which is the first time in Action Sprint history that any woman has been undefeated for two consecutive years showing tremendous potential for Williams who is only in the 20-29 age category. Frenchman Clement Dumont took men’s title.
"We’ve had good weather today. The river gorge was very dry which made the race slightly easier. I joined the same race some three years ago and grabbed the title. The same thing just happened to me again three years later, proving that I'm still young and capable.” He laughed. “I was leading quite soon after I went into the river gorge, paced myself after the first climb and completed the race. I heard of the AFCD's decision on not allowing runners to go across the river gorge in future races. I think they shouldn't ban people from going into it. I really hope that they can at least still allow us to race in some particular parts”,” said from Asia Trail’s Dumont who won in 1 hour 23 minutes 8 seconds.
Next one crossing the finish line was Nepalese runner Santosh Tamang from HKNTRA, finishing in 1 hour 33 minutes and 3 seconds. Tamang did well today but for sure there’s a lot going on his mind due to the earthquake happened on Saturday. "Although my friends and family are alright, the earthquake yesterday in my hometown was really devastating. I feel so heartbreaken. I didn't do my best this time, but am still glad that I place second today and really hope people can pray and support Nepal."
Third place went to HK runner Cheung Hing Hung from team CU Old Ghost who finished the race in 1 hour 33 minutes 54 seconds. This is my second race in this year's series, still feeling amazing. I like the weather today. It is expected to be hot, but the breeze helped a lot to cool me down. I did great in the downhill section as I ran quite smoothly. The most difficult part of the race is the last 2 km was going through the sandy beach cost line. That rocky surface was really a big test on my balancing skills," said Cheung.
Raidlight team member Zein Williams took women’s title by grabbing her 3rd gold medal of the series today It is the second year in the row she hasw won all three races and she finished in 1 hour 43 minutes 23 seconds. "Bonaqua Action Sprint race in Discovery Bay is always the hardest race because the course involves the two big climbs. Today’s weather was good with the nice breeze, so it was better than what I expected. I reckon that the organiser did some changes on the course design and that was the best decision ever. It forced people to have a longer swim. Everyone gets into the water and it cools everybody down. I used to find that running on the concrete floor near the golf course is so hot, but this year, since we are all wet from the swim, it was alright." Said Champion Williams.
Next across the line in the Women’s race was Emma Bruce who finished in 1 hour 49 minutes 22 seconds. "I feel great, lovely and fresh, not exhausted at all. Of all the sprint races, I think the Discovery Bay course is the most technical one. Last year I was eight minutes slower to complete the course, so I did a personal record today. Regarding the AFCD's decision, I feel extremely terrible and sad. I live in Discovery Bay and my friends here always take their kids up to the gorge and into the rock pools, we all have fun jumping in. I definitely have signed up to the petition and hope there’s still room for negotiation to not stop the races," said Bruce.
Stephanie Che rounded out the top 3 women finishing in 1 hour 54 minutes 55 seconds. "It was a very tough race because today was very warm day and I'm heat intolerant. The course design is quite different from the first two races. We had a really quick transition into trail shortly after the race started and had gorge running right after. The course design tied me up quickly. A technical demanding course is an advantage to me, the harder the better. I enjoyed the race so much today!" said Che.
All funds raised in the Action Asia Foundation from participants and others today till next Friday (May 1 2015) will be donated to emergency supplies in response to the earthquake that struck Nepal on Saturday.
Event Name: Bonaqua Action Sprint Adventure Run- Discovery Bay
Date: April 26, 2015 (Sunday)
Start Time: 9 a.m.
Start Location: Discovery Bay Plaza, Lantau, Hong Kong
Distance: 13 km
Description: Hiking & trail running on adventure route thru river streams, ocean coastlines & huge mountain climb
Aim: To see beautiful scenery off the main trails and into locations people don't usually go
The series could not happen without the kind support of Bonaqua, Action X Store, OtterBox, Aquarius, Inov8, Skins, Salonpas, AroundDB, Pearl’s, Herbalgy, Polaroid Cube, Ocean Potion, HKRI, OL&N, Socam, Rocktape, the Action Asia Foundation, and the kind government support from the Hong Kong Police Force, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for granting permission to outdoor sports and Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
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