The annual curtain raiser will go ahead in September and October. Please note the new start time of 4.30.

The entry form can be downloaded from here.

Congratulations to all finishers in a hot and humid RTI 2009
At least the trails stayed dry on April 5th for the RTI Time Trial but it was a  trial of heat and humidity for the runners who took part in the event.  Winners Stone Tsang and Ida Li in the True Grit produced admirable times - Stone 10 minutes outside of Neil Tait's record and Ida just under 7 hours.  Whimps winners were Matthew Jones and Phillipe Cosentino who completed the course in a fantastic 5 hours 14 minutes, a new record.
For results please go to this page .

A big THANKYOU to race organiser Dave Smith and all the checkpoint volunteers.
RTI information here.

Thankfully the weather stayed dry and thunderstorm free for the race.  Exciting result in the men's race with only a second between the top three places once  the times were age ajusted.  Congratulations to Ross Milburn on winning with Keith Chan and Dave Smith taking 2nd and 3rd.  The ladies race was won  by Charlotte Cutler both overall and on adjustment.  160 finishers  enjoyed the event.  Cindy Lau presented the prizes and Malcolms family sent a message of thanks to AVOHK, the HKLRRC and all the runners for organising and participating  the event.  Thankyou to the helpers  for ensuring everything went smoothly.  Results,  here. report and gallery here.

The AVOHK AGM was  held on the  11th June at the Ladies' Recreation Club. This year's meeting was a lively affair.  Minutes will be published soon.  Congratulations to Matt Jones and Jane Hogskin our male and female Athlete of the Year Awards.   Clive Saffery's talk  on Ultra Running was very well received the Badwater footage confirming the the sport of Ultra attracts more than a fare share of the whacky element.    Please click here for more info. 

We are continually updating the membership list. Don’t forget that membership lasts for a calendar year, so all members who did not join during the last three months of 2008 are now up for renewal.  Members who are more than one year overdue are highlighted in yellow on the attached file. To check your membership status, please go here. Please note that this list was last updated on 28 May 2009. If you joined after that date, your name won't be on it. If you are unsure of your membership status, please drop me an email at martinavohkatyahoo.com and I will clarify the situation for you.

Please be reminded that HKAAA membership is separate to AVOHK membership! If you would like to join the HKAAA through AVOHK, please follow the steps below:

(1)   Print out and fill in the membership application form from the AVOHK website.

(2)   Send it to me at AVOHK, 2/F, 155 Mable Villa, Kap Ping Long, Sai Kung.

(3)   Await membership confirmation email.

(4)   Download and print out HKAAA application form from:

http://www.hkaaa.com/hkaaa/athletes-zone/Registration/2009_RegistrationForm-Athletes.pdf

(5)   Send your completed HKAAA form  to AVOHK, PO Box 28893, Gloucester Road, Wanchai.

(* If you are already a member, skip the first three points and proceed swiftly onto point four).

When you have done all of that, you will have the chance to get hold of our excellent new club kit and enjoy discounts on races as a result of both memberships.

Our excellent quality  2008 New Balance kit  is still  available rated as the "best AVOHK kit yet" by our textiles expert.  Bargain price of  HK$200 for blue shorts and white and blue  vest.  
For 2009  and beyond we have ordered a larger stock of elite New Balance kit, still blue and white but with a simpler pattern and simpler overprinting.  Ladies' and Mens vests, unisex t shirt, ladies an mens split shorts. This will be available in July .Contact Phil Booth for information.

Dear AVOHK Swimmers 
Please go to swim section for the forms to join up for the swimming year 2009-2010.  There are still a few spots available.
Pool swimming times and joining procedures are more or less the same as in the past. We have the following lane times:-
Monday - Thursday 12-2pm with 2-3 lanes
Friday mornings 8-9am for February and March 2009.  Saturdays 1-2pm with 1 lane.  We will go forward with those arrangements subject to demand.
You must be an AVOHK member to join the swimming.    Please note that not only must annual AVOHK fees be paid but an application form must also be filled in each year by each swimming member. As in past years - administration is kept to a minimum so there are no receipts for the swimming fee and no swimming division membership cards issued - A list will be kept at the pool entrance. - Simon Clarke

The third and final race in the reservoir series around Tai Tam saw victory for  Choi Tat Ming in the mens race and Joe Joe Fan in the ladies.  All results and the Series winners can be viewed here. 
Thanks to race director Matthew Jones and his team for another successful and enjoyable race series.

Full marathon overall results here Half marathon overall results here . Full marathon prize lists here Half marathon prize lists here,  any queries please contact us
Unclaimed trophies, chip return please click here for arrangements
A huge THANKYOU to all volunteers, supporting clubs and organisations particularly HK Adventure Corps and the AMS, without you there would be no race!
To all our runners results will be posted very soon.  Thankyou for participating and for your enthusiasm -  hope to see you again in 2010.
The event was run alongside the Community Chest Corporate Challenge half marathon and 10km, these are directly organised by the Chest so please contact them for  results information - details on www.commchest.org
Finally we are immensely grateful to our sponsors Sun Hung Kai Properties, Swire Coca Cola and New Balance.

Sisu Squad
            An intrepid dozen have signed up to take on the world at the veterans’ world championships in Finland at the beginning of August.
 200:   Marc Steiner
800:   Marc Steiner, Mark Reeves
1500: Sheila Purves, Mark Reeves
5000: Rebecca Lau, Sheila Purves, Martin Kennard, Mark Reeves
10,000: Martin Kennard
Marathon: Wing Len, Stuart Leonard, Catherine Leonard
Walks: Sahn Hahng Tai Bo, Rebecca Lau 

The Trailwalker Record was broken in blazing sun and high temperatures yesterday by the G4S team comprising of four super fit, super trained Nepalese runners whose 11 hours 52 minutes was a full two hours ahead of the second place team.  Many AVOHK'ers were out on the trails supporting and participating; our Ancient Mariners were unable to challenge their V50 record from last year crossed the finish line  in 19.09.  The challenging conditions were reflected in many finishing times. AVOHK stalwart Freeman Lee joined a team as a last minute replacement. His selection proved to be a wise choice as his team Powerbar Eagle Salamon (pictured) put down a time of 17.47. The OXFAM tracker system was an improvement on recent years and their website www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.hk has photos and results.  More stories and photo's soon.

Martin Kennard

AVOHK sent two teams to the UK Trailwalker in the South Downs on July 19 and both emerged victorious. Clive Saffrey led The Wanchai Boys and was accompanied by Alex Morgan, Rob James and Bill Nock. They took a large chunk off the Mens Veterans record and romped home in 11.27. Read Clives report here.  The Hong Kong Harriers (Pam Beech, Phil Spencer, Stuart Leonard and Martin Kennard) emerged as the 1st mixed team in a time of 13 hours and 14 minutes. Excellent weather conditions made for an enjoyable race. The course was much more runner friendly than the Hong Kong event and there were murmurs of more record chasing in next year's event.

Martin Kennard

Railbird reccomends the Masters Track Running Blog. Find out about the antics of a 92 year old discus throwing granny at this link: http://www.masterstrack.com/blog/