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When a training run becomes ultra-marathon victory – McNaughton pushes her limits to win HK50

Hong Kong resident’s plan to take it easy goes out of the window as she battles leg cramps to finish almost 40 minutes ahead of her nearest rival

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Marie MacNaughton in action in the MSIG HK50. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong resident Marie McNaughton planned to do the MSIG HK50 as a training run. Instead, despite having to sit and rest to ease cramps along the way, she built an untouchable lead and romped to victory in the women’s race.

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McNaughton, originally from New Zealand, won the TransJeju 100-kilometre ultra-marathon only a week ago, so had planned to take it easy on Saturday in the MSIG HK50.

However, she found herself in the lead by 5km and finished almost 40 minutes ahead of the next best woman, Taiwan’s Kuo Wan-ting.

“I did go out a little too fast for a training run,” McNaughton said.

Marie McNaughton, flanked by Taiwan’s Kuo Wan-ting (left) and France’s Emilie Saint-pe. Photo: Mark Agnew
Marie McNaughton, flanked by Taiwan’s Kuo Wan-ting (left) and France’s Emilie Saint-pe. Photo: Mark Agnew
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The 50km race around Hong Kong Island started at The Peak and finished on Wong Nai Chung Road. Around 800 competitors raced in conditions that were much cooler than recent weeks. Runners had to contend with long uphills and a lot of stairs.

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