Pushing for podiums keeps retired PE teacher, 64, motivated ahead of Action Asia 12km trail race

Shek Kong might be 64, but he still runs with a purpose: to win. The former PE teacher turned to coaching running in his retirement, but the lure of medals keeps him competing.

“If there is a race with a prize, there is motivation,” he said. “There are many races in Hong Kong but I pick races that have a 60-plus category.”

“I love coaching, but I prefer my own training. Of course, I still want to be running when I’m 80 years old,” he said.

Kong started running marathons 15 years ago but despite his desire to be competitive into retirement, the realities of old age caught up with him.

“Mostly, for old age, people have problems with their knees,” Kong said. “I started having problems, so I stopped the long distances.”