[4] Since 2006, Chan has registered with World Athletics that her national allegiance is to the United States.
[5] Chan began running aged nine, entering an organised race without any training, in an effort to beat her elder sister Amanda, placing in the top 10 against the older field.
[6] Chan has a bachelor's degree in Food Science (2000) and a master's in Exercise Physiology (2011), both from Brigham Young University in the United States.
[6] In August 2000, she married American Brent Roper, a former Mormon missionary in Hong Kong.
They have three children, including son Skyler Roper, born 2003, who successfully represents his high school (Brandeis HS) at running.