Taiwanese Chiang and Chen Win Nissan Action Asia X-Trail Taiwan

Press Release / 25.09.2016

ith perfect weather, this Sunday witnessed the success of the much-anticipated NISSAN Action Asia X-trail race. The race offered technical nature trails with stunning views in Maokong, Taipei, including the Houshan Mountain, Er Ger Shan and the Around Tan Mountain Road. A Salomon Taiwan team runner Chiang Yen-Ching, finished the race in 1 hour 42 minutes 16 seconds and won the overall Champion in the 17 km race. Another local Taiwanese runner Chen Hsiu-Ching grabbed the champion of the Women’s 17 km race, finishing in 2 hour 18 minutes 13 seconds.

Taiwanese Salomon runner Chiang Yen-Ching won the overall champion in the 17 km race with a blistering 1 hour 42 minutes 16 seconds run. “I am really excited that I won the race. For me, the most challenging part of the race is at the last 5 km, especially at the down-hill because I did not take any food on the course and I was so burned out at the end that I could not run steadily.” Chiang Yen-Ching has had six-year experience in trail running and he also did a recce in Maokong a week before the race. “It was my first time competing in Action Asia Event’s race. I found the course was quite impressive and the view was breath-taking,” he said.  He enjoyed the natural trails the most in Maokong race which are different from the trails in other races in Taiwan. He continued, “NISSAN Action Asia X-trail race is much more professional comparing to other races in Taiwan, making Action Asia Events the most extreme adventure trail running organizer in Taiwan.”

Chou Ching, another Taiwan CCT team member was second in the 17km race, finishing in 1 hour 46 minutes 20 seconds and beat his own record from last year’s race. “My aim was to challenge my own result from last year. I was in a much better condition, not feeling as painful as last year.  I chose to save up my energy and better warm up my body at the very beginning until passing the first downhill, where I started to speed up ahead.” Apart from sharing his feelings about the race, he also mentioned his devotion to promote trail running in Taiwan, “I am always very supportive towards trail running races in Taiwan. In order to better promote this sport, I tried my best to attend every international race. With moderate distance, Action Asia’s race fits runners with different levels. Holding such a race is very helpful and effective to promote the trailing running industry in Taiwan.”      

Russian runner Sasha Tarasov, was third in the 17km race and completed the course in 1 hour 49 minutes and 8 seconds, breaking his own trail running record. “The course is quite different from where I came from including both the elevation and the trail. Even though this was not my first race, it was still really challenging for me. I pushed myself harder this time so finally got on the podium this year. Although I don’t particularly train before races. I did participate in varies sports and also explored different trails and areas. I don’t think runners have to train in any specific trails.  We can train anywhere to enhance our endurance. Thanks Action Asia Events for organizing such an extraordinary race!” said Sasha Tarasov.

Taiwanese runner Chen Hsiu-Ching grabbed the champion of the Women’s 17km race in 2 hour 18 minutes 13 seconds. “I have been running for more than two years. Most of the time I participate in road race and just started joining trail running race from last year. The damp trails are more technical than those in Taichung area so I was more cautious on the down-hills. I really enjoyed the landscape of Maokong in spite of the difficulty of the trail. Compared with other races I participated before, this course chosen by Action Asia Events meets the international standard. The course contains less percentage of bituminous roads which makes it more professional. I prefer mother nature like breeze in the forests and mountains and I would love to race on this trail again next year if possible!” said the talented runner who placed first in the Women’s 16km race.

Salomon Taiwan teammate Kuo Wan-Ting, finished in 2 hours 32 minutes 43 seconds and took the first runner up in the Women’s 17km race. “The whole course was well-planned with very clear steps and specific race signs. The scenery in Maokong is magical. Runners can take a break when feeling exhausted and enjoy the marvellous view,” she said. Due to her busy schedule, Kuo needs to make better use of the night time to train. “It is my first time running in Maokong and I will definitely join this race next year and try my best to break my own record,” said Kuo.

Ho Jo-chun, a top Taiwan runner who has won many prizes in trail running races took the third place of Women’s 17 km race finishing in 2 hours 37 minutes 21 seconds. “Even though I just improved a little bit from my last year’s result, I still feel quite happy,” she said in the interview after the race. When asked about the course, she continued, “The course in Maokong has always been my favoured course because of the nice view. The rivulet part is steep and technical so I think choosing a pair of right shoes is crucial. The signs in Action Asia’s course are clear and professionally distributed which kept me from worrying about getting lost while running.” “I like Action Asia Event’s races a lot and that’s why I encouraged my sister to join too. She just won the Women’s 9 km race this morning.” Ho Jo-Chun showed her passion for this race again this year and said she would not hesitate to race again next year with her sister.

The Nissan Action Asia X-trial 9km race overall champion was grabbed by a local university student, Syu Jhao-Yu, who finished the course in 57 minutes 21 seconds. “I train for triathlons on a regular basis and started trail running almost a year ago. Last year I met the top Taiwanese runner Chou Pin-Chi during a 10km trail running race and he grabbed the champion at that time. I’m very grateful that he is now my trail running coach,” said Syu. When asked about the course, Syu continued, “The toughest part is definitely the beginning, where there are a lot of up hills and my body was not properly warmed up. The best view was certainly at the end of the course and partly because I was in a great mood while approaching the finish line.”

A 39-year-old Taiwanese runner, Ho Feng-Chuan placed first in the Women’s 9km race, finishing the race in 1 hour 19 minutes and 59 seconds. As a first time trail runner, she was thrilled. “I am really surprised that I could won the race because I have only run this route twice before. Thanks to my sister Ho Jo-chun, she told me many tips and tricks for trail running. I really enjoyed the great course and the view along the way.”

Maokong, a tourist destination where used to be renowned for its cable car, is now the landmark of trail running in Taiwan because of previous high standards set by annual races including the NISSAN Action Asia X-trail TAIWAN, organized by Action Asia Events and supported by NISSAN.

To minimise environmental damage to the historical route, the organizers operated a strict No Cup policy. Runners brought their own water bottles or hydration packs, as cups were not provided. Action Asia Events provided carboys sponsored by MaxPure.

The event could not happen without the generous support of the presenting sponsor NISSAN and other supporting partners OtterBox, ActionX Store, Compressport, Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Maxpure, Eva Air, TXG, Chaiin Hotel, Don 1 don, Outside Magazine, Taipei Metro Hash House Harriers, China Hash House Harriers, and Action Asia Foundation.

[Race Result] 2016 NISSAN Action Asia X-Trail Taiwan

17 km

Top 5 MEN

Name - Nationality – Team/Sponsor –Time

1. Chiang Yen-Ching（江晏慶） – Taiwan – Saloman Taiwan – 01:42:16

2. Chou Ching (周青) – Taiwan – Ctt – 01:46:20

3. Sasha Tarasov - Russia – 01:49:08

4. Wu Yu-Chia (吳有家) - Taiwan – 01:54:14

5. Teng Wei-Fu (鄧維富) - Taiwan – 01:59:43

Top 5 WOMEN

Name - Nationality – Team/Sponsor - Time

1. Chen Hsiu-Ching (陳秀卿) – Taiwan – 02:18:13

2. Kuo Wan-Ting (郭婉婷) – Taiwan – Salomon Taiwan – 02:32:43

3. Ho Jo-Chun (何若君) – Taiwan –  02:37:21

4. Lily Wong – Taiwan – 02:39:55

5. Yang Chiao-Chu (楊喬筑) – Taiwan – 02:41:25

9km

Name - Nationality – Team/Sponsor - Time

Syu Jhao-Yu (許昭宇) – Taiwan – 00:57:21

Ho Feng-Chuan（何鳳娟）– Taiwan – 01:19:59

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