Swimmer-turned-entertainer Alex Fong Lik-sun competed in yesterday's 10km event, convinced that running was harder than swimming the same distance in the pool.
Since retiring from the Hong Kong swimming team a few years ago, the 25-year-old former national record holder has made a name for himself in the recording studio and on the popular TV show Sweet and Sour Grandpa, which has him made an instant celebrity.
He competed in the Standard Chartered-sponsored event for the first time and was pleased to be part of the SAR's biggest event for the masses.
'I'm happy to be involved in such a big event. It's nice to see so many people taking part in the races. Running is a healthy pastime,' said Fong.
'It was not easy for me to run 10km. I finished in 52 minutes.
'It was okay because my target was to jog the whole way and not walk. I didn't practise that much and I only started training for this three weeks ago. Compared to swimming, this is harder because my feet are kind of flat and they are not suitable for running,' he said.