Alex Chan: Camaraderie and Crowds Carry Him Through

Alex Chan, who ran his first marathon in 2008, has run as far as 60 kilometers (37.8 miles) in a grueling 9 laps of a 4-mile stretch in Central Park. The crowds propel him through races; thoughts of pizza and burritos do the same during long training runs.

When did you start running, and why?

I have been running for a fairly long time. I run because I love it. It's one of my favorite recreational activities. It helps me balance my diet and stress and it just makes me a happier individual.

I started running long distances when I trained for my first marathon, which was in Ohio in 2008. Since I moved to New York, I have run a bunch of races of various distances. I ran one other marathon (26.2 miles), an ultra-marathon (60K, or 37 miles), and various shorter distances (half-marathons, 10K races (6.2 miles) and 5K races (3.1 miles). I run mainly New York Road Runners-organized races.

Why are you running the marathon?

Because it's the NYC Marathon!!

What is your goal on race day?

My goal on race day is to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

 Does this distance— or this particular race— have any special meaning for you?

26.2 miles is a difficult distance no matter how you train for it.  Whether you run it fast or run it slow, it's really tough. But, the excitement of the crowd and camaraderie of all the other runners on race day is amazing and worth all the effort.

What gets you through your long training runs?

Thoughts of pizza and/or burritos.

Have you had any particularly special moments during your runs?  One time Kevin Capata and I ran a half marathon and were guided in the wrong direction by a race volunteer.  We ended up running the most unpleasant 15 mile-half marathon of our lives.

 Do you see any relationship between your work and your running?

I am a physical therapy student.  When I'm not studying movement I'm typically engaging in it in the park, on the trail, or on the treadmill.