The annual Hong Kong trail running highlight — the Vibram Hong Kong 100 Ultra Trail Race — will kick off this Saturday. The title sponsor, Vibram, has supported the inaugural event since 2011, attracting numerous top male and female runners from Europe and Asia. The biggest draw in 2013 is not only the participation of over ten top ultra runners, but also the first-ever joint appearance of the Vibram UTMB Elite Team from Europe and the Vibram Hong Kong 100 Elite Team from Asia on the course of the Vibram Hong Kong 100 Ultra Trail Race. Vibram hopes to share the passion and experience of trail running with enthusiasts through its professional spirit and products, enabling more people to experience the challenge of self-transcendence and the joy of connecting with nature through trail running.
?/SPAN>是全球领先的高性能橡胶鞋底供应商，推崇户外探险的精神和挑战极限性能的价值观，并于近年来加强积极参与越野跑运动。我们衷心希望所有参赛者能在本周末举行的比赛中获得佳绩，以及能够顺利完成赛事。
除了Vibram UTMB非凡之队的Nicola Bassi和Sebastien Nain以外，由五位来自大陆和香港的跑者组成的Vibram 香港100非凡之队也将参与这次赛事，包括Joel LaBelle、覃俊平、曾进杰、曲丽杰、Linds Russell――他们都是热爱越野跑的平凡跑者，并享受把体能及意志推到极限的挑战，Vibram将给予他们精神和装备的支持，与他们共同见证这些平凡的跑者如何成就非凡。
第三次参加Vibram 香港100赛事的Joel LaBelle视跑步为生活的一部分，他表示：我最享受每次完成超级越野跑后带给我的满足感，我能够证明自己的身体及意志够强壮去完成挑战。
关于Vibram品牌：
Vibram是高性能橡胶鞋底的全球领导品牌，业务涵盖户外、运动、工作、休闲、时尚、维修和矫形等鞋类市场。70多年来，黄色八角形的标志已经是质量、性能、安全、创新的代表。每个Vibram的鞋底都在提高安全和保护的期 许下诞生；是持续致力于研发与创新的成果。事实证明在无数的极度探险中，Vibram成为不可或缺的一部分。同时将革新的设计注入时尚鞋款中。每款Vibram的新产品都使用最新设计及最好的原料，针对个别用途制作。再由Vibram 测试团队在实验室以及试验场执行各种严格测试后推出市场。确保达至最佳性能，最高质量以及最舒适。
Vibram UTMB非凡之队/Vibram香港100非凡之队队员介绍：
?/SPAN>团队及设备的支持，将能帮助我获得更好的成绩。
Nicola Bassi (Vibram UTMB非凡之队)
意大利。
“身体极度疲惫的时候, 心志引导我们继续前进……”26岁的Nicola Bassi是Vibram UTMB之队最年轻的队员。他曾在一个体育商店任职3年，现在全身心参与户外运动。他热爱各项运动，曾长途骑车40个国家6000公里。他的目标是将工作与运动结合。Nicola提到：一开始，我只是十分专注登山运动，跑步只是为了训练，对于越野跑的喜爱是逐渐生成的。他过去两年参加过的主要赛事：
2011 Grand Raid des Pyrénées第20名
2011 Adamello Supertrail冠军
2011 Grand Trail 3V第9名
2010 Toubkal Marathon第24名
2010 Red Rock Sky Marathon (世界杯赛事) 第11名
2010 Estremamente Parco (Julian Alps) 第15名
越野跑对Nicola来说是一个内心的征途，一种对自身体能和心理的测验，从而更了解自己。他表示：当身体极度疲倦的时候，当一切都感到痛苦，是你的内心引领你继续前进。固执、骄傲、不放弃的坚韧，都帮助我们达成目标，在跨越终点的那一刻获得极大的满足感。
Joel LaBelle(Vibram 香港100非凡之队)
Joel曾在世界范围内参加许多越野跑及铁人比赛，通常他会穿着Vibram鞋底或Vibram五指鞋参赛，但此次他表示由于考虑地形，他很有可能穿着New Balance Minimus 1010参加Vibram香港100。Joel是连续第三届参加Vibram香港100这项他最钟爱的本地赛事。2012年赛事中，他创造了个人赛事最好成绩20小时18分54秒。在完成2013年Vibram香港100赛事后，Joel将会参加以下比赛：
2013年2月 香港渣打马拉松
2013年3月 墨尔本铁人赛
2013年4月 富士山161公里越野跑
他从2009年开始热衷越野跑，从5公里、10公里的短距离赛事开始，之后参加马拉松、100公里赛事及铁人赛。他表示必须不断努力训练，而他全年都保持有规律的训练，在较暖的天气准备铁人赛，在秋冬季专注越野跑。Joel很热爱三项铁人赛，但对游水却是又恨又爱。
Linds Russell (Vibram 香港100非凡之队)
Linds Russell今年将首次参加Vibram香港100赛事，这不仅仅是她首次参赛，也是她首次代表Vibram香港100非凡之队比赛。她已经为比赛作好准备，并很期待大帽山段的赛程。
Linds从12月开始备战, 周末跑两个长距离，平日进行力量和短程跑训练等。她不仅仅对自己的训练要求严格，并很注重赛前饮食，尽量吃无加工的健康食物。Linds将借助以下曾参加的赛事经验，帮助自己参赛Vibram香港100。
2012 100公里Oxfam毅行者
2012 Wilson Raleigh Challenge (48km night race)
2011 Swiss Alpine 78km
Linds is from the UK and also enjoys dragon boat racing and gym circuit training. She has participated in numerous trail running events around the world, and her favorite course is the Swiss Alpine Ultra. During her university years, she developed a love for endurance running during a short stint in the military, and even summited Mount Fuji during a typhoon.
Qu Lijie (Vibram Hong Kong 100 Extraordinary Team)
Qu Lijie, who completed the race in 21 hours and 44 minutes in 2012, will be competing again this year. The Vibram Hong Kong 100 is her favorite event, and she hopes to break her personal best and finish in under 16 hours this time. Qu Lijie runs in Vibram FiveFingers and is a big fan of and believer in Vibram’s products and philosophy. She has been preparing for the Vibram Hong Kong 100 since August last year, including climbing stairs for three hours twice a week, running 30km twice a week, and completing a 50km plus 50km long run once a week. She is currently in great shape after finishing the following events:
2012 Beijing TNF100
2012 100km Oxfam Trailwalker
2011 Beijing TNF100
After accidentally seeing some stunning photos of the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc in France in 2010, Qu Lijie began preparing to compete in the event. She hopes to be in peak condition before taking on the UTMB this summer.
Tsang Chun Kit (Vibram Hong Kong 100 Extraordinary Team)
Local Hong Kong runner Tsang Chun Kit will be participating in the Vibram Hong Kong 100 for the first time this year. He admits that as a first-timer, he’s not entirely sure which part of the course he’s most looking forward to, but hopes to complete as much of it as possible. He enjoys running in Vibram FiveFingers because the shoes make him feel more natural while running. He is currently running 40km per week to prepare for the race. Although he doesn’t have experience in trail running events around the world, he has recently completed several races, including:
2012 2012 Ironman 70.3 Taiwan
2012 100km Oxfam Trailwalker
Tsang Chun Kit got into endurance running through a friend’s recommendation and loves how the sport allows him to push his personal limits. Aside from running, his favorite sport is cycling, which is why he takes part in many triathlons, as it combines his two favorite activities.
Qin Junping (Vibram Hong Kong 100 Extraordinary Team)
Qin Junping participated in the Vibram Hong Kong 100 in 2012 and will be competing again this year wearing HI-TEC running shoes with Vibram soles. Having successfully completed the 2012 Vibram Hong Kong 100, he was unable to finish the 2012 Beijing TNF due to injury. He is determined to achieve a better result in this year’s Vibram Hong Kong 100.
He started preparing for the Vibram Hong Kong 100 six months ago, following a high-protein, high-carb, low-fat diet plan, and focusing on heart rate and pacing training. Qin Junping describes the picturesque scenery of the Ma On Shan section as his favorite part of the Vibram Hong Kong 100, and despite having a fear of heights, he has decided to take on the 2013 Lantau 100. Having primarily competed in road races in the past, he has since transitioned to trail running, which he enjoys for the opportunity to participate with friends and experience a full mental and physical release.
