Wan Cheuk-hei picks up pace after training stint in Taiwan
Hong Kong distance runner improves his speed and technique after training with top athletes from National Taiwan Sport University
If you can't beat them, join them - that was the thinking of promising Hong Kong distance runner Wan Cheuk-hei as he travelled to Taiwan to join a group of elite runners to find out why they seemed to be making so much better progress than him.
Wan found new inspiration and new techniques as he prepares for tomorrow's half marathon at the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon.
"Many of the athletes were better than me. I was exhausted in the second week and could hardly move. As a part of the group, I told myself I should not find excuses and must keep going," said Wan, the fastest local in last year's half marathon.
They were always sharing tips with me and taught me how to run better. This rarely happens in Hong Kong
"The aim of my trip was to equip myself. I had no reason to escape my responsibilities."
Yuen Long-based Wan spent a month training with leading runners at the National Taiwan Sport University in Taoyuan City after meeting Chen Ping-feng at the Fubon Taipei Marathon in 2012.
"Ping-feng came to Hong Kong for track competitions over the past two years and I got to know more about him and witnessed his progress," said Wan.
"I was really interested to visit Chen and his peers and see why they were improving so fast. That's why I decided to abandon my usual high-altitude training in Yunnan.
"Some of the runners are of national level. Even the others are as good or even better than the best runners in Hong Kong.
"The solidarity in the team was very good. They were always sharing tips with me and taught me how to run better. This rarely happens in Hong Kong."
The 22-year-old finished last year's half marathon in one hour, 13 minutes and 19 seconds, and then pushed his personal best to 1:12.05 before a bone fracture in his left foot set him back.
His journey to Taiwan helped get him back to his best, and proved an eye-opener.
His friend Chen, a second-year athletics sports training science student at the Sport University, was impressed with Wan's dedication and resilience.
"I could tell Cheuk-hei was dedicated to running. Two days before he left Taiwan, he tripped over a fence and his knee was covered in blood. But he insisted on finishing his last lessons.
"He also had his own beliefs but was willing to take advice. He sees running differently now."
Wen Lien-chung, another student runner, said of Wan: "He was giving his best and his optimistic character made our training more joyful. I admired him that he dared to travel alone and was able to make new friends."
Wan said he expected fireworks in tomorrow's half marathon with former champion Gi Ka-man returning after a two-year absence because of injury.
"Gi will have a better chance to take top spot. He has the experience and is always the favourite. I will be looking for my chances, too," said Wan, who said his foot was still not 100 per cent.
"To be more realistic, I am likely to have a neck-and-neck competition with Nestor Wong Wai-chung for second place. Ngai Kang is also a rival to watch out for."
But the notorious early start should not prove a problem after his Taiwan stint: "I always wake up at 5am for long-distance training sessions. I am used to races in the early morning," said Wan. "[Plus] in Taoyuan it was very windy and chilly, the conditions in Hong Kong should be better."
