Runners Getting Ready to Take on Tough Mountain Challenge

News Release / 21.09.2015

Imagine looking down at your shoe laces and then looking up and seeing 678m Er Ger Shan Mountain in front of you and then a winding muddy single track trail with slippery rocks before tackling the next challenge of 530m Hou Shan Mountain and then a slippery winding jungle downhill trail after. This is just the first 9 km of the adrenaline filled 17 km run.

According to Wu Yu Chia, the 2012 overall winner of the 17 km race, “it is the way trail running should be with challenging beautiful courses that are wet and a  lot of  fun when you are constantly on the edge the entire race. It is one of the toughest short trail races in Taiwan”. Welcome to OtterBox Action Asia X-trail.

Tail running enthusiasts have been looking forward to battling it out at the upcoming 2015 OtterBox Action Asia X-trial on the 26th September at Maokong, Taipei. Covering some of the most beautiful nature trails in Taiwan, organisers are taking a proactive approach to preserving the environment with a strict No Cup policy.

Some Hong Kong runners are also going to Taipei to compete with the top Taiwanese runners and other international runners from around the world. Mr. Cheung, one of the participants from Hong Kong, said “It is the second year I have joined the OtterBox Action Asia X-Trail Taiwan. I was so impressed by the challenging route and amazing views last year that I have marked this event on my schedule months ago. I have enhanced my monthly training targets that I think I am now more than ready to hit my personal target.”

Maokong, a tourist destination used to be renowned for its cable car, but is now the landmark of trial running in Taiwan because of previous high standards set by annual races including the OtterBox Action Asia X-trial, organized by Action Asia Events and supported by OtterBox and Taiwan Tourism Bureau since 2013. Ondřej, a runner from the Czech Republic, encouraged all beginners to enjoy every moment in running and respect the nature. He said “It’s about finding new paths off of main paths. Be part of nature, respect it and enjoy every new step.”

Last year, more than 600 trail runners participated in the event. “I hope I can perform well and finish on the podium again,” said Keiko Hirano, the overall female first runner up in the 2014 OtterBox Action Asia X - Trail Taiwan. “The steep and long up hills at the very beginning were the toughest part for me as it wore  me out before running cross the forest and streams. I enjoyed the pleasant cool feeling when I reached streams but I was paying a lot of attention to the slippery mossy rocks in the stream as I saw some runners fall over,” said Keiko.

This race attracts many experienced trail runners who want to battle with both local Taiwan and international elite runners. “Last year, I had the opportunity to get to know many elite runners who are also very passionate about trail running. Because of the challenging and unforgettable experience that I had at that race, I am now totally addicted to technical trail running races. I signed up for both the X-trail Taiwan and Taiwan Action Asia 50 race. For me, these tough races are full of fun and adventures,” said Jochun Ho, the fastest Taiwanese female runner at Taiwan Action Asia 50 last year.

To minimise environmental damage to the historical route, the organizers are operating a strict No Cup policy. Runners are advised to bring their own water bottles or hydration packs and refill them at the following water check points (CP) throughout the course, as cups will not be provided. Action Asia Events will provide carboys sponsored by MaxPure. All participates will get T-shirts sponsored by Compressport and armbands sponsored by OtterBox. ROCKTAPE Taiwan will also be sponsoring kinesiology tapes. Free taping services will be provided to all participants from 7a.m. so as to treat injuries and improve sports performance.

Two categories are open to the public 9 km and 17 km. The race will start at the Chi Nan Gong Main Hall Temple and Action Asia Events, the event organizer hopes the participants would be able to see a bit more of Maokong rather than its cable car.

The event could not happen without the generous support of the presenting sponsor OtterBox and other supporting partners Taiwan Tourism Bureau, ActionX Store, Compressport, Outside Magazine, AminoMax, Sebamed, Maxpure, Elmore Oil, TXG, Rocktape, Travel Expert, Chaiin Hotel, Taipei Metro Hash House Harriers, China Hash House Harriers, China Airlines, Loveisderma, NatureMade and Action Asia Foundation.

Race Info

About Action Asia Foundation

Since its inception in 1997 the Action Asia Foundation has promoted the idea that outdoor activities can play a crucial part in fostering an individual’s personal development. Proceeds from the Action Asia Challenge and other fundraising events go to help the work of the Foundation. The goals of the Action Asia Foundation include:

• Developing personal development opportunities for young people in Asia through organising outdoor adventure activities.
• Raising the quality of life for disadvantaged young people in Asia by funding health clinics, schools and activity centres.
• Promoting cultural interchange through adventure programmes and events.
• Developing permanent facilities for youth adventure training

The Foundations achievements so far include funding a day-care and health facilities in Nepal, and organizing kayaking, climbing and other outdoor activities for handicapped and underprivileged youth in Hong Kong.

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