Alvin Tang boosts hopes for assault on Standard Chartered Marathon
Hong Kong runner strolls to victory in 30-kilometre race in Shek Kong
Alvin Tang Man-wa boosted his hopes of becoming the first Hong Kong runner home in February's Standard Chartered Marathon by winning the SPT 30km at Shek Kong on Sunday.
The race, now in its 14th year, was established to provide runners targeting the Hong Kong Marathon with a long-distance race a month or so beforehand to assess their training and overall fitness.
Despite being somewhat young for a marathon runner, Tang ran in this year's Hong Kong Marathon and posted a time of two hours and 42 minutes. The 20-year-old Baptist University student then competed in the Beijing International Marathon in October and clocked a respectable 2:38.
"I'm targeting a time of sub-2:35 for the Hong Kong Marathon because I want to be the leading Hong Kong finisher - I want to at least be in the top two," said the Sheung Shui-based athlete, who finished yesterday's race in 1:55:41.
I train every day and am currently clocking up around 120 kilometres each week, most of which is done around Sha Tin
"I'm too young to think about going sub-2:30, but I'll be working on that goal in the next couple of years. I train every day and am currently clocking up around 120 kilometres each week, most of which is done around Sha Tin."
For one so young, Tang has a refreshing air of confidence about him. However, his victory in Sunday's race came down in the end to a touch of fear.