Omnia Vincit Amor

Editor-in-chief: Ale Tang

Interviewee: May Yan Hoi-ling, champion (50KM 40-44) of Translantau50, No. 8 (55KM) of The North Face 100 Ultra Trail Challenge Hong Kong 2025, champion (Team of 2) of Ultra Fish N Sheep Trail Run 50, gold award (under 16 hours) of Hong Kong 100 Ultra Marathon

Finishing the recent Seoul Marathon 2025 at 3:20:48 as an amateur means a lot to May Yan.

It's her second World Marathon Majors (WMM), after starting running merely two years ago.

Yan discovered the interest and talent in long-distance running in 2023. Before that, she's a 9-to-5 office lady who didn't work out at all.

"I started hiking during the pandemic; then with my hiking friends, I joined, without 'proper' practice, a 50KM trail run, which most of my fellows didn't finish." Yan recalled, "I was surprised—oh, so I can run a lil bit?"

Effort cannot promise success, but standing still guarantees zero progress

"I'm a driven person, which means I'm pretty devoted to what I'm interested in," the ultra runner explained. "So in 2024, I signed up for a training class to learn running from scratch." Why long-distance? "Older runners can often perform well in long-distance compared to younger counterparts. We might not run as fast or have the muscle power, but we have stronger mind."

That's how an OL struggling with running for one song's duration grew into an amateur star—step by step.

Not an earth-shaking story, but to Yan, running is her saviour.

"Around that time, I was working in a MNC corporate, watching people getting praised for pleasing bosses instead of working hard. I felt betrayed by the proverb 'No pain, No gain'—all my blood, sweat and tears were in vain." Yan grinned, almost zen-like, "But running saved me from losing hope. Improving training by training, I gradually got to understand what the popular saying is true."

Grateful for the necessary failure

Half a year later, Yan entered the Kanazawa Marathon 2024 to "verify" her progress in the sport—and was, sort of, defeated.

"What do you call it? Oh, right, 'Man proposes, God disposes'—I was so focused on the preparation that I overtrained and got Posterior Tibial Tendonitis, shy of a month prior. It's hard for me to even just walk. Every step was painful."

"Every runner knows the last month before game is crucial to speed training, but I was forced to stop all speed training. I visited my acupuncture doctor and physiotherapist every week. I cried a lot. Eventually, I kind of just prepared for the worst—I might not be able to finish at Sub4 (less than 4 hours)."

What's the word for it? Oh, right, God has a plan. The lowered baseline expectations actually somehow reduced stress for Yan; the 6-month-old running newbie made it at 3:41:49, with an injury!

The proof of No pain, No gain.

Sixteen months later, Yan participated in her second WMM, this time one in the elite series. Having learnt from the last lesson, Yan planned carefully for the Seoul Marathon 2026 preparation.

"You are cheating yourself if you don't review the previous mistake, but it's also a lie to claim I ain't haunted by it." Yan admitted. "The closer to the big day, the more anxious I was. It's worst during the last month before race because it's time for, hello, the speed training. I was treading with fear of getting hurt again at every step, literally."

After all, love will win the day

It's the love for running saved Yan, again. The amateur champion admitted that she was distracted by the "travel x race vibe" once she set foot in Seoul. "The weather was perfectly cool and dry, cheering teams everywhere, and I could go shopping after race!" She laughed and continued, "The moment I got to the starting corral, my mind was clear and calm in a flash. I told myself, 'I've done all I can. Just trust your training, and let your body take over'."

No overthinking. No worries. Just unfamiliar and refreshing cityscape of Seoul. Yan finished the run before she knew it. "Suddenly, I realised that I've trained 1000KM for this 42KM. You really do reap what you sow."

"Looking back, running has given me so much. It gave this disappointed introvert the space to escape phoniness in reality, to talk to myself, analyse complex problems with a fresh perspective, and regain poise."

She added,

Running is my soul mate, but it's not happily ever after. There are times I cry because of physical exhaustion and lack of progress. But hey, do what you love and love what you do.

Coming next, Yan has started the journey of studying sport performance. "I may not be able to run forever, but I can always engage in the sport through helping the others run."

If this is not love, I don't know what is.

Run or die, that is not the question.