Runners beat Typhoon Koinu to complete Lantau 2 Peaks race as storm nears

The resilient pair of Vlad Ixel and Zein Williams conquered the competition and an approach typhoon to storm to victories in the CBRE Lantau 2 Peaks men’s and women’s races on Sunday.

The Lantau event, which heralds the beginning of Hong Kong’s trail running season, was staged over a reduced course to cater for deteriorating conditions and the approaching Typhoon Koinu.

Australian Ixel, a former winner, covered the 15.5km route – which started and ended in Tung Chung, via a climb of Nei Lak Shan – in one hour, 15 minutes and 54 seconds, to finish almost three minutes clear of second-placed Rex Lo from Hong Kong.

Englishwoman Williams, a Lantau resident, sped to a convincing margin of victory. Her time of 1:38:20 was nearly eight minutes faster than Hong Kong’s Ng Chin-nam in second.

Ixel was familiar with the terrain as an ex-Hong Kong inhabitant and two-times competitor – but the slick conditions underfoot took some getting used to just days after landing from Australia.

“We had to go a little shorter, and I did have a little slip going uphill at beginning of the race,” Ixel said. “But I love the course, it is a great event, my favourite race in Hong Kong, and a good way to start the trail running season.”

Fears over a potential cancellation were allayed by organisers Action Asia Events, who said only the raising of a No 8 storm signal would prevent more than 550 participants from making it to the start line.

And Williams was grateful for the early start, which enabled her to beat the field and the arrival of Koinu.

“It was a fun morning and I loved the race,” Williams said. “It was a little slippery at times, but the weather was perfect. The cool conditions made it easier to push hard on the climb.”

Michael Maddess, the director of Action Asia Events, added: “It’s always amazing listening to the feedback at the finish … people love setting goals to challenge themselves, together with caring for the environment.

“We are looking forward to inspiring more people to visit Hong Kong, which is the trail running capital of Asia.”