Ms Virginia LO Ying-chiu
Long-distance Runner
Chinese and Bilingual Studies graduate
Mr Eric WONG Kai-lok
Long-distance Runner
Fashion and Textiles graduate
On the track, they run side by side; through life, they walk hand in hand. They are two-time Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon champions, PolyU alumni Ms Virginia Lo Ying-chiu and Mr Eric Wong Kai-lok, dubbed the “golden boy and jade girl” of the running world. Behind the spotlight, the couple has faced considerable pressure and moments of self-doubt: Eric once thought running wasn’t for him and considered giving up, while Virginia struggled with slumps due to stagnation in her performance. Thankfully, fate brought them together, and they have supported each other ever since.
Their paths to victory seemed worlds apart before they met, but common threads weave through their stories. Virginia, who graduated from PolyU’s Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies in 2020, discovered her passion for running in Form 2 during a trail-running race she joined occasionally. Despite being very challenging, the experience ignited her desire to improve. To achieve higher rankings, she made running a habit, and in Form 5, with support from her father, began training under a coach, officially entering the world of long-distance running.
From 10 kilometres to half-marathons and full marathons, Virginia has reached milestone after milestone. In 2022, she left her full-time teaching job to focus on training. “An athlete’s career is short,” she said. “I didn’t want my job to hold back my performance. Since I love running, I want to give it my all.” When Virginia first transitioned to the full marathon, she was eager to perform well, but her training methods and mental state had not yet adjusted. After facing many setbacks during the 2023 season, she learned to re-evaluate herself, “Haste makes waste; why let results blind me? Enjoying the competition – isn’t that the pure essence of running?”
Running is a solitary sport, and Virginia is grateful to have Eric by her side. Eric, who is also Virginia’s running coach, is a former swimmer who discovered his passion for running during a high school exchange programme in the United States. After entering PolyU, he continued to train and compete actively. Although his running performance was average in Year 1, he persevered against the odds. With each competition, Eric’s results improved, and ultimately, he won the championship in Year 4 and led the PolyU team to a historic four-peat!
After graduating from PolyU’s School of Fashion and Textiles in 2020, Eric aimed for gold in peak condition but was unfortunately set back by an injury; the doctor even advised him to give up. Looking back, he reflects, “Those who know the value of something appreciate it; those who appreciate it find joy in it.” He believes, “If you enjoy running, you’ll keep going.” Always ready for the unpredictable – whether it’s a sudden downpour, an unexpected roadblock, or the ebb and flow of his own physical and mental state – he sees a marathon as not just a test of limits, but an exhilarating adventure into the unknown. “If I can finish a marathon and overcome training challenges, what else can faze me?”
Given the resources, pay, and expenses, pursuing a career as an athlete in Hong Kong may not be appealing to everyone. “There’s pressure,” the couple says, “but this pressure motivates us to do better in the future.” Holding onto their original passion, they embody the spirit of PolyU with their lofty aspirations, marching toward their goals. Whether sprinting under the scorching sun or pushing through rain and wind, they embrace each step on the track as a challenge in life, giving their all to every second.
There’s pressure, but this pressure motivates us to do better in the future.
Publishing Date: January 2025
