Announcing the newest addition to the team of Pharmanex Champions

Maggie Chan-Roper, born and raised in Hong Kong, has a courageous and determined spirit. She started running at the age of nine, not because she loved running, but because she wanted to beat her older sister, who was an accomplished runner and on her junior high school track team. Maggie soon fell in love with running. She signed up for the elementary school track program, but was put on the non-competitive reserve team, which bothered the determined little girl. Maggie wanted to compete.

Her sister's school was holding their annual 4-K cross-country race and she went ready to run. A full two years younger than the other runners, Maggie was not allowed to race. Being determined, she stood by the registration table to listen, watch and wait. Soon Maggie discovered that one of the participants did not show up to run. She became that participant, signed in, took her number and went to the starting line. Maggie came in seventh. For the next two years she ran, not as Maggie Chan, but as any one that did not show up to race.

When Maggie finally reached junior high, she raced as Maggie Chan and started winning. At the age of 15 she set a new Hong Kong national record in the mile and was crowned the "Distance Queen." She was featured in newspapers, on radio and on television. The mile was her first but not her last record. Throughout her career Maggie has set Hong Kong national records for women in the 1500-meter, 3000-meter, 5000-meter, 10000-meter, 10-kilometer, half marathon and marathon.

Maggie competed internationally through high school and was recruited by several universities in the United States including the University of Texas, UCLA and Brigham Young University. As a fierce competitor, she chose BYU based on the coach and his ability to help her improve. At BYU the six time All-American helped catapult the women's cross country team into the national spotlight.

Despite the numerous races in which Maggie either won, set a record or both, her most memorable race was her final college competition, the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field event. She had qualified in both the 3000-meter and 5000-meter races and her 3000-meter qualifying time was the fastest in the nation. She had a real chance at winning and wanted to win more than anything.

The race was tight for the first 2000 meters when she and the leader pulled away from the pack. She stayed with the leader, matching her stride for stride. Maggie decided make her move at the 50 meter mark. Before reaching the mark Maggie fell and two people passed her. She stood and fell again. Rising for the second time and not knowing how many racers had passed her she struggled across the finish line. "It was the longest 50 meters I had ever [run] in my whole life," she recalls. "I finished ninth - it hurt."

She began to get letters from all over commending her for her courage and sportsmanship, and thanking her for the inspiration. She said, "It turned out to be the most courageous race I had ever run."

While finishing her degree in nutrition and food science, Maggie trained for the Hong Kong Olympic Team and prepared for the Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. A bleeding ulcer plagued her throughout the Olympic trials and nearly kept her from the Games but Maggie would not be denied. She qualified and made the trip in spite of her low blood count competing in the 5000-meter and 10000-meter races. She was not in top form, but ran anyway, proving to herself and the world that Maggie Chan could run.

Maggie can run. She entered her first marathon last year in Richmond, Virginia. The race was loaded with an elite field of runners. Fighting the nagging pain of a raw and purple blister, she won with nearly a 2½-minute lead. Maggie is accustomed to running with pain. She suffers from a genetic bone disorder in her foot that causes a great deal of pain. Surgery could cure the problem, but she would be out of competition for two or more years. She won't do it - she can't. She has a winning spirit.

It is that spirit that drives her to train hard and push her body to greater heights. She says, "I take Pharmanex products because I need them. LifePak gives me daily energy. Cartilage Formula helps my injuries heal faster. CordyMax enhances my endurance for the long runs. Optimum Omega is essential for my long runs and fast recovery."

It was a fighting, competitive and determined spirit that started a little girl running. That same spirit pushes Maggie Chan-Roper toward the next Summer Games in Athens, Greece. Let's cheer her on to her dreams.