Jeff Campbell’s breakaway pays off in Lantau 2 Peaks – and Emilie Saint Pé surprises herself with victory
Leading pack sticks together for the first third of the race as humidity takes its toll in 23km race
The unexpected humidity beat down on the runners, but Jeff Campbell said his Lantau 2 Peaks race “went to plan” as he waited until Sunset Peak to make his winning move.
The Lantau 2 Peaks race is 23 kilometres and this year the humidity was 75 per cent, making the 2,000 metres of cumulative ascent even harder than expected in autumn.
“It was very tactical racing for the first third of the race,” Campbell told The Post, “with nobody in the lead pack of four able to break away.
“The pace quickened as we ascended Lantau Peak, and stayed fast through to the end.
“It was really tough running up Sunset Peak where I broke away,” the Canadian said.
The women’s category was won by Emilie Saint Pé.
“My goal today was just to finish. I am very surprised [I won],” she said.
“I didn’t expect the result at all because I know the Lantau 2 Peaks is a very challenging race with a lot of great Hong Kong runners,” said Saint Pe, originally from France.
Austrian Michael Skobierski finished second in men’s race, just shy of four minutes behind Campbell. He has competed in the race three times, but his performances have been plagued by injury.
“I was hoping to complete the race in three hours this time while ranking is not that important so I’m very happy with my performance today,” he said.
Local runner Yee Ting-kwan came second in the woman’s race, and said it was a huge relief to summit Sunset Peak.
Irish runner Kevin Scallan and Australian runner Sherrin Loh came third in the men’s and women’s respectively.
