A constellation of Hong Kong celebrities traded the stage and screen for the asphalt this week, participating in the annual major marathon event. Notably, acclaimed singer Terence Lam made a striking debut, successfully completing his first-ever half-marathon, showcasing an unexpected athletic talent.
The endurance challenge, held yesterday, drew numerous public figures, including veteran performers like Calvin Choy, Chrissie Chau, Raymond Wong, Inez Leong, and James Ng. However, it was Lam’s impressive performance in the 21-kilometer race that captured attention, finishing the challenging distance in approximately 2 hours and 13 minutes—a result he expressed strong satisfaction with.
Singer Lam Transforms Concert Training Into Athletic Pursuit
Lam’s pivot to long-distance running began only recently. He revealed that his training regimen for his recent Hong Kong Coliseum concert series, which required significant stamina, involved guidance from a coach focused specifically on conditioning through running. That initial training period unexpectedly unlocked a latent potential for the sport.
“I discovered I could actually run quite well,” Lam remarked, noting that the sustained effort made him realize he held “a little bit of potential” in the discipline, prompting him to continue training even after his concerts concluded.
Lam documented his rigorous preparation journey on social media, sharing clips of intense gym workouts, training runs, and even a detailed VO2 max test, a scientific measure of an athlete’s maximum oxygen uptake capability.
Overcoming Self-Doubt on the Track
The pop star shared insightful reflections on the mental fortitude required for endurance running, emphasizing that the true challenge isn’t simply the physical distance or discomfort.
In a candid social media post accompanying his training footage, he wrote, “Running can be so much fun (but also difficult). The real difficulty of running isn’t the long distance or how grueling it is; it’s about how you overcome different cycles of self-doubt and insecurity, time and time again, to continue moving forward.” He proudly declared the marathon completion as “the first outrageous thing of 2024 achieved.”
His accomplishment drew immediate praise from peers and fans alike. Fellow celebrity Jeff Ng enthusiastically commented, likening Lam’s speed and form to “an F1 type.” Numerous followers also expressed surprise and admiration for seeing the usually elegantly dressed singer in athletic gear and running shorts, celebrating his impressive feat.
The Broader Trend of Celebrity Fitness
Lam’s successful debut highlights an increasing trend among performing artists who utilize endurance sports not just for physical conditioning necessary for their demanding careers, but also as a personal challenge and mental escape.
Endurance training, requiring months of dedicated preparation, offers benefits beyond physical health, including enhanced discipline, focus, and a structured approach to goal-setting—qualities that often resonate with their professional commitments.
Lam’s journey from the rehearsal studio to the half-marathon finish line serves as a motivational reminder that new athletic talents can be discovered at any stage of life, echoing the idea that intense commitment to any form of training can reveal untapped potential. Following this successful debut, fans and commentators will be keenly watching to see if the singer pursues even longer distances in future racing seasons.
