Taiwanese runners dominate Nissan Action Asia X-trail race
Chiang Yen-ching wins the men’s race in perfect conditions, while Chen Hsiu-ching makes it a winning double for their country in Maokong, Taipei
Salomon Taiwan team runner Chiang Yen-ching took advantage of perfect conditions to beat the field in the Nissan Action Asia X-trail race in Maokong, Taipei on Sunday.
Chiang finished the race in one hour, 42 minutes and 16 seconds to win the overall champion in the 17 km race.
Another local Taiwanese runner, Chen Hsiu-ching, won the women’s Women’s 17 km race, finishing in two hours, 18 minutes and 13 seconds.
“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,” said Chiang.
Chiang 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.
Chou Ching, another Taiwan CCT team member was second in the 17km race, finishing in one hour, 46 minutes and 20 seconds.
Russian runner Sasha Tarasov, was third in the 17km race and completed the course in one hour, 49 minutes and 8 seconds, breaking his own trail running record.
Chen’s win in the women’s race came as a surprise to the Taiwanese who is more comfortable on the road.
“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,” she said.
Salomon Taiwan teammate Kuo Wan-ting was second in 2:32:43 ahead of Ho Jo-chun, another top Taiwan runner, who clocked 2:37:21.
