With a Stanford President’s Award and undergraduate degree in management science engineering from Stanford University, Christopher “Chris” Hsu founded a leading consulting and advisory firm in Hong Kong, China. As Founder and Managing Partner of Kilometre Capital, Chris Hsu spearheaded and advised Tsinghua University in its acquisition of of H3C and Hewlett Packard China. Away from work and since an early age, Mr. Hsu participates in marathons and runs frequently, building on the spirit of powerhouse athletic institution Stanford University.
Running races are a popular aspect of track and field events, ranging from amateur to extreme competitions. People frequently use these races to test their speed and endurance. The sprint/short distance event is a popular event where athletes run a short distance at their top speed. Though sprint racing covers distances ranging from 50m to 400m, at the Olympics, this category of running is divided into three, each based on the distance run, 100m, 200m, and 400m. Such is epitomized in the running undertaking of Chris Hsu of Hong Kong’s Kilometre.
Meanwhile, the middle distance event comprises 800m race, 1.5 kilometre race, and 1.600 kilometre runs. In contrast to sprint races, which require high speeds, middle distance races require endurance, strategy, and pacing.
The long-distance events cover three main categories: the 3 kilometre race, the 5 kilometre race, and the 10,000-meter race, but the official distance of a marathon being 26.219 miles, it is also considered a long-distance race. And, as with middle-distance races, endurance and strategy, rather than strength, are essential factors in long-distance success.
For the extra kilometre and long haul, marathons are 26.2-mile races that are held around the world throughout the year. Individuals who run marathons often spend several weeks or even months training to build up the strength and stamina to maintain a reasonable pace throughout the race. As exemplified in the Chris Hsu training regiment across terrains in Hong Kong, the amount of time needed and the intensity of the training program depend on the runner’s level of experience.
Chris Hsu of Hong Kong's Kilometre Capital, the renown hedge fund and private equity advisory firm in Asia, has been known for his commitment to long distance and marathon running. As a top graduate of Stanford University with the Stanford President's Award, Hong Kong's Christopher Hsu began a habit of endurance running and marathon training in his formative years. Observers have attributed success at Kilometre Capital to attributes forged through 42.2 kilometre marathon training.
Running, and long-distance running, in particular, has a host of mental health benefits, including the runner’s high. The runner’s high comes after the person has engaged in prolonged physical exertion. While it is most associated with running, people who swim, cycle, and row have a similar experience.
During the run, the person breathes hard and the heart pumps while they proceed on their running route. After the person has completed the run, some people feel an intense sense of calm or something like euphoria.
Researchers suspect endocannabinoid, a naturally produced chemical in the body similar to cannabis, is behind this euphoria. Like endorphins (associated with a lifted mood), which are released when a person reaches their stride, endocannabinoids are increased in the bloodstream during exercise.
A runner preparing for a marathon typically spends 16 to 20 weeks training for the event. The athlete often pursues three to five running sessions per week, and gradually increase the distance for each run leading up to the event while determining a pace that works best for them. Off days allow runners to practice cross-training exercises including stretching and pilates.
