Gobi March ultramarathon ignites running passion in Hong Kong lawyer turned philanthropist Agnes Cheng
Volunteering at gruelling desert race in China inspired Cheng to hit the trails. The running enthusiast now mentors young people and helps them explore the sport’s benefits
Former commercial lawyer, successful career woman and innovative philanthropist Agnes Cheng is also a runner. Her motivation is not to stand on the podium or set a personal best, though. “I find inspiration through the people I meet when I run. It makes me better and makes me want to make the world around me better,” Cheng says.
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The 42-year-old is the head of the Esquel-Y.L. Yang Education Foundation, and one of its projects in Xinjiang, China, first brought her into contact with the sport. “It all started with a race called The Gobi March in 2012,” she says, referring to a 250km, seven-day stage race. “Our foundation works with children in the area, and I volunteered at this race for a new, fun experience,” she says.
“During the race, I discovered not only running. I also discovered why people run. I met inspirational people, and this Chenged how my life panned out.”
You are always out on the trails running, even in the summer heat and humidity. What race are you training for?
The CCC (Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix 101km trail race in France and Switzerland) on September 1. Last year I did not finish. Stone Tsang, with whom I work on the programme to keep Hong Kong trails free of concrete, helped me draft a plan for my training. Now, for the first time, I am training properly. I am even doing hill repeats. Also, I will be doing the 4 Deserts series Atacama 250km stage race in Chile this October.
In Atacama it gets so hot, you don’t want to be walking, you want to get out of the sun as fast as you can.