Top HK runner has a tough time juggling sport and school

Chan Ka-ho wore a puzzled expression as he studied his revision papers in the stands during the second round of the Athletic League at Wan Chai Sports Ground yesterday.

The Hong Kong half marathon record holder would normally expect to be on the track battling it out with his Tsuen Wan AC (TWAC) teammates, but since beginning a diploma course in sports science at the Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) last year the 23-year-old has had to concentrate on schoolwork instead of running.

'I would typically run 100-120kms a week when training for the half marathon, but since I started my three-year IVE course at Chai Wan I'm managing only about 30km a week,' said Chan.

In order to cover his tuition fees and living expenses, Tai Po-based Chan coaches juniors and school children during the evenings, and only after he has completed those duties does he have time to train himself.

Chan will head for the rarefied air of Kunming in July and August where together with some of his club mates he will undergo altitude training in preparation for an autumn marathon. Much of the trip will be funded by mature members of TWAC.

Chan's TWAC teammates put on a good display of quality running during the weekend of competition at Wan Chai, with Anson Chan Kwok-cheung completing the 5,000m and 10,000m double. Run in brutally hot and airless conditions Chan clocked 16:37:07 for the 5,000m and 35:42:42 for the 10,000m.