A Persistent Life Runner
Meet Our College Alumnus Mr. Ferdinand Tsang
We have heard that you went to Thailand for a championship in November 2022. What is it about?
I participated in the 40-kilometre trail race in the First World Mountain and Trail Running Championships. I went there with four other teammates. Some joined the 80-kilometre trail race and some joined the 40-kilometre race just like me.
How did you prepare for the race? What did you think about it?
After completing the Hong Kong Trail Championships in September, I was tested positive for COVID-19. I did not feel well for a while. At the end of September, I received the news that I was nominated for the First World Mountain and Trail Running Championships as one of the Hong Kong representatives. I had only one month to get ready for the race which was hardly enough. However, it was the chance of a lifetime and I should try my best. Needless to say, I was feeling a bit nervous as this is my first time to be a Hong Kong representative. This is also a recognition of an athlete’s commitment and devotion.
What is special about the Hong Kong Trail Championships? Were there any challenges?
The championships took place in the mountains of Chiang Mai, Thailand. The participants went through the characteristic small villages in the trail races. For Hong Kong participants, they might find the uphill a bit steep and the climb rather sharp. This was a challenge for them as the race took place in mountains higher and steeper than Tai Mo Shan, Lantau Peak and Sunset Peak. But they were rewarded with a landscape stretching far away when they reached the village on the mountain top.
What did you do when you were injured during the race? How did you overcome the adversity?
After running more than 10 kilometres, I started to go downhill. The route was good for running but the speed was faster too. Losing my concentration in a second, I fell down spraining my lower back and hip muscles. I did not feel anything at that moment. All I thought was to keep running. When I went uphill again after the second check point at 20 kilometres, the pain became obvious. My lower back was tense and achy. A thought flashed through my mind telling me to give up and return to the second check point. As a Hong Kong representative, I should not stop easily. The team leader of Hong Kong Association of Athletics Affiliates and the field staff were waiting for me at the third checkpoint on the mountain top. I had to bring myself there even I really needed to take a break. When I finally reached that check point, there were more than 10 kilometres to go but most of the time, I would go downhill. Although the lower back pain became intense, I determined to keep going until the end as a Hong Kong representative.
Will this incident affect you in any way in future races?
In fact, every single race is a learning lesson, especially in long distance races. You will face situations and hardships beyond your imagination during the race. My performance in this trail running championships was not as good as it should be because of the accident. This is also one of the toughest races I have ever joined. But in retrospect, I value the experience. Adversity is a test for athletes on their capacity and limit. The trail running championships served me as a good reminder as well. This is not a finishing but a new starting point. When I returned to Hong Kong, I needed to focus more and practise harder to be more resilient for bigger challenges in the future. In 2023, I plan to participate in Trailwalker with a goal to break my record. I will also participate in the Second World Mountain and Trail Running Championships.
Biography of Mr. Ferdinand Tsang
A full-time trail runner. A Hong Kong representative in 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships. In 2017, he graduated from Integrated BBA Programme, CUHK and is now studying Master of Science in Sports Science and Physical Activity Programme at the University. In 2018, he established Plain Hiker, a social enterprise, with two College alumni with a vision to organise trail activities for disadvantaged children. He is also the President of S.H. Ho College Alumni Association.
