Hong Kong chosen to spearhead new Spartan Race APAC Series
Joshua Lok
30th March 2017
After a successful premiere in November last year, the Spartan Race will make a return to Hong Kong on April 22nd.
(Photo credit: Spartan Race Hong Kong)
Spartan Race, the world's largest obstacle race and endurance brand, has launched its first ever Asia Pacific Championship Series. The first event of the series will kick off on 22nd April in Hong Kong and end with the finale in Australia, where the winners of the first APAC Series will be crowned.
The Hong Kong Sprint, set to take place at the Kam Tin Country Club, will kickstart the Series.
This is followed by the Taiwan Super on May 20th, the Korean Super on June 10th and the Malaysia Super on July 9th, before culminating with the Australia Beast at the end of November.
In particular, the Hong Kong event is set to feature over 20 obstacles across a 5km course and has seen an increment in prize money for the Elite category this year, with both Mens' and Womens' winners standing to win HKD $17,300 alongside other prizes.
On a whole, racers stand to win over USD $50,000 in cash and prizes across the entire series, with the overall winner set to pocket a USD $10 million windfall.
TVB artiste Owen Ng (second from right) and Managing Director Michael Goodwin (far right) share their thoughts on the race.
Spartan Managing Director for Asia-Pacific, Michael Goodwin, spoke of the importance of the APEC series.
"The inaugural Spartan Race Asia Pacific Championship Series is a testament to the passionate athletes and weekend warriors who have propelled us from hosting Spartan events in two APAC countries in 2015, to what will be over 10 APAC countries and regions in 2017," said Goodwin.
"The APAC Series in not just for the elites who are arguably the best athletes in the world, but is also a public challenge to everyone who knows that they can do and be more than they are today."
2009 Mr Hong Kong contestant Owen Ng, who took part in last year's edition, had several words of advice for first-time runners.
"Among other things, it is important to be dressed with the muddy conditions in mind and eat properly even just before the race to get enough fuel in your system," he said.
"I found last year that the monkey bars and sandbags will put your grip strength and coordination to the test, so I'd certainly advise Spartans to put in extra effort to improve those areas."