Long-distance runner Wong Ching-yee knows her talent and potential. Sometimes she fails, but she is determined and knows she will eventually succeed.
The Form Four student from Fukien Secondary School in Kwun Tong was the champion of this year's junior women's half-marathon race at the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. This was her first entry in the half-marathon.
Last year, she ran in the junior category of the 10km race and came third.
Ching-yee revealed that the road to the top spot was not easy.
'Years ago, I was a runner in 800m and 1,500m races. But I lacked the explosive force to speed up before crossing the finishing line. With my coach's encouragement, I've tried to extend the distance I run,' she said.
It took Ching-yee almost a year to lengthen her running distance to half-marathon, which is just over 21km. 'I also do 10km and 15km runs, but I like half-marathon more as I can increase my pace gradually throughout the race, while 10km and 15km runs require a constant speed,' said Ching-yee. She joined the Hong Kong team in 2008.
The second-ranked junior half-marathon runner in Hong Kong found it difficult to claim the junior top ranking and needed a breakthrough to improve her time. To show her determination, she had a haircut to achieve a 'fresh start'.