Hong Kong Runner Candy Tsang Hiu-tung Set to Conquer 'Devil's Course' in SPARK RUN Half Marathon Debut
AM730 · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong long-distance runner Candy Tsang Hiu-tung is preparing for her first-ever half marathon at the SPARK RUN event, where she will face the notorious Man Yee Road — a course renowned for its steep inclines and challenging elevation . Despite recently being left off the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games team roster, Tsang has channeled her energy into training and approaches the upcoming race as a high-intensity practice session rather than a PB-chasing sprint . The athlete, who only began taking running seriously during her university years, believes her late start has become an unexpected advantage that has accelerated her learning curve .
Key Points
- Tsang Hiu-tung achieved a remarkable three-peat in the 10km race at the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2026, establishing herself as a dominant force in local road racing competitions .
- The SPARK RUN half marathon features Man Yee Road, which presents approximately 600 meters of elevation gain — roughly double that of the Tai Mei Tuk route (300+ meters) and significantly more demanding than the Standard Chartered Marathon's 80-meter climb .
- To prepare for the challenging terrain, Tsang has incorporated specific downhill running training, a technique she learned from Japanese athletes who add downhill hill repeats after completing short interval sessions .
- Regarding her Asian Games exclusion, Tsang emphasizes distinguishing between external goals (race results beyond one's control) and internal goals (personal improvements and enjoyment), arguing that the former often leads to greater disappointment .
- The runner believes that athletes who start later often possess stronger learning abilities, can access more training resources and examples online, and benefit from having experienced coaches to guide them through mistakes .
Why It Matters
This story highlights how Hong Kong's sports culture is evolving to embrace resilience over instant success — Tsang's response to missing out on the Asian Games, by reframing her goals rather than giving up, offers a powerful lesson in mental toughness for aspiring athletes . Her willingness to tackle Man Yee Road also underscores the growing popularity of ultra-challenging local courses, as Hong Kong runners seek to build endurance and technique on the territory's notoriously hilly terrain rather than avoiding it .
This story highlights how Hong Kong's sports culture is evolving to embrace resilience over instant success — Tsang's response to missing out on the Asian Games, by reframing her goals rather than giving up, offers a powerful lesson in mental toughness for aspiring athletes . Her willingness to tackle Man Yee Road also underscores the growing popularity of ultra-challenging local courses, as Hong Kong runners seek to build endurance and technique on the territory's notoriously hilly terrain rather than avoiding it .