Message from the chair – Dec 2023

Dear Members,

I hope you are all enjoying the festive season and taking time out to relax and recharge your batteries.

Not too far until AVOHK’s big event of the year, the 2024 China Coast Marathon and Half Marathon will take place on Sunday, 4th February 2024. This is the only Marathon and Half Marathon in Hong Kong that offers the full range of 5-year Masters age categories from 35+ upwards and allows you to compete within your age group. Being an AVOHK Club Member, you get the entry fee discount.

Support your Club AVOHK by entering here: https://avohk.org/index.php/2023/11/16/welcome-back-to-the-china-coast-4-feb-2024/

Reminder – Membership renewal. For those on an annual membership renewal, now is the time to renew for 2024. RENEW here: https://app.joinit.com/o/athletic-veterans-of-hong-kong/members

The AVOHK Christmas Party was held on 14th December 2023 at Museum Cafe8. Approximately 40 members and guests attended and they were entertained and dazzled by Zenneth the Magician. Melody and her team at Museum Cafe8 put on a wonderful buffet and made sure we were well fed. The evening was rounded off by the traditional lucky draw and the Club are very grateful for the donation of a number of bottles of Champagne by Club Member Johnny. A thoroughly enjoyable evening was had by all. A big thanks to Aldo, Phil, Frank and Catherine in helping to make this event a success.

The AVOHK Club Monthly Social Run is normally held on the first Wednesday in the month. However, the next one is at 7pm on 10th January 2024. Meeting outside the BMW Shop (formerly, HSBC), for further details contact Norman 9249 1452 or Frank 9423 5422.

A reminder to all members, the new AVOHK Club vest is available: https://avohk.org/index.php/avohk-merchandise/

Well done to Club Member Gi Ka-man on being selected to represent Hong Kong, China, in the 2024 Asian Marathon Championships which is being held in conjunction with the Hong Kong Marathon on Sunday, 21st January 2024.

The December AVOHK Newsletter contains some wonderful articles, including one by Ronald Thompson who describes how in November he successfully completed a solo “Round the Island” swim. An amazing journey. Please read.

Well done to Issac Yuen M35 who competed in the World Masters Athletic 24hr Championships in Taipei in early December. Issac completed an amazing 211 Kms in 24 hours for a 3rd place finish in the M35 category. A well-deserved bronze medal. Issac will be writing about his experience in next month’s newsletter.

On a final note, one of our longest serving and one of our most active Club members – Bill Purves – turns 80 shortly. Bill, on behalf of all AVOHK, many happy returns on reaching the grand age of “80”. We all look forward to your continued contribution to AVOHK and the Hong Kong Masters Athletics community and competing in the M80 category.

Yours in running Colin Whittington