Nicolas Martin and Caroline Chaverot crowned champions of 2016 Asian Skyrunning Championship Ultra Skymarathon

Hoka team member Nicolas Martin from France finished the season on a high as he crossed the finish line first in the Asian Skyrunning Championship Ultra Skymarathon on Lantau Island on Sunday.

Martin overcame jet-leg and pushed himself to the limit to become the overall winner in the 50km race, finishing in five hours, 41 minutes and 51 seconds. Spanish runner and Race Land team member Cristofer Clemente was second overall in 5:44: 38 with another Frenchman, Ludovic Pommeret, of Team Hoka, third in 5:55:49.

Martin was a relieved man after the gruelling event, raced in cool temperations and beautiful scenery.

“It’s a very difficult race. I felt very tired right before I crossed the finish line because Cristofer was just 20 seconds behind me, so I pushed myself to run very fast in the last 3km. To win this MSIG Lantau 50 was my main goal as it was the last race of my season,” he said.

The champion also took second place at the Asian Skyrunning Championship VK race on two days earlier winning also the MISG double cash prize.

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“I landed in Hong Kong one day before the VK race, it’s very difficult for me to deal with the seven-hours jet lag. I don’t run for cash, but it’s a good news that I get double prize. I am very happy to win this championship title. I had six-year difficult training and now I get my best result. In three years, I will turn 30, which is a best age for a trail runner.”

Hoka France runner Caroline Chaverot won the female championship in Ultra Skymarathon 50K, finishing in a blistering 6:27:09 seconds.

“The male champion is also from France, so today’s race is a dominant performance for my country. Nicolas [Martin] is a good runner, he won second place in the 2016 World Series Skyrunning Ultra one month ago. Also, there are many good runners in Asia, I am amazed how trail running is popular in Asia,” said Chaverot.

“I did an Asian Skyrunning Championship VK race two days ago, and it’s great for me to take part in the race and see people from everywhere, like Malaysia, Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong. I heard that trail is getting more popular in China and I am looking forward to competing against more Asian people in the future. In France, trail races are always very long without stairs.”

Coming to town: World skyrunning champion Caroline Chaverot excited for Asian debut at Lantau 50 Ultra Skymarathon

Trail Running Nepal team member Sunmaya Budha placed second in the women’s 50k race in 6:52:30. “It’s my first time to race. In the beginning, I felt quite difficult. Next time if I have chance I will do far better than this time. For the view, everywhere is beautiful. It’s quite different because in Nepal we don’t have that much of stairs like here. Basically, I don’t have enough experience racing in Hong Kong.” said Sunmaya.

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Adidas runner Maud Gobert from France grabbed third place in 7:28:49 seconds. “I took this race for the second time and it’s my seventh 50km competition. I won the MSIG Lantau 50 female champion last year, although I did not defend the title today, I am very happy that I finished. The course is much higher than last year, and the view is still very beautiful.” said Maud.

As for the Asian Skyrunning championship Skyrace 27k, Salomon Japan team elite runner Dai Matsumoto won the race in 3:01:23, retaining his championship title from last year. “When I was a university student about ten years ago, I started the skyrunning competition. Today’s course was very tough and it made me feel very tired, but the view was very nice and enjoyable, and I think the most challenging part is the Lantau peak” said Matsumoto.