Message from the chair – Mar 2024
Dear Members,
The AVOHK committee are busy planning out activities for 2024/25 and arranging the necessary permits, etc. Our next event will be the Malcolm Phillips Age-graded 5K Race which will be held at 4pm, Saturday, 18th May 2024. This is an age graded race, so no age categories. Entry fee will be HKD80 for Club members and HKD100 for non-members. Race Directors Frank Riehm and David Woo will be sending out details within the next week and entry will be open early April. Please do consider entering. This is a great way to remember our dear friend and Club member Malcolm. If you don’t want to run, please consider volunteering as a marshal. Contact email: frank.riehm@hotmail.com.
We will also announce very shortly the dates for the AVOHK 5K series and are planning to hold 2 reservoir races in the fourth quarter of 2024, and of course the annual AVOHK China Coast Marathon and Half Marathon in early 2025. Firm dates to follow.
Date for your diary. The 2024 AVOHK AGM will be held at Museum Café8 on Thursday, 13th June 2024, starting at 7pm. Official notice will be sent out in due course. Your attendance would be appreciated. The AGM is always followed by a wonderful buffet and a chance to catch up with fellow Club members.
At the recent HKAAA Awards dinner, Phil Booth, Dave Smith, Catherine Leonard and Freeman Lee were recognized by HKAAA for their long-standing contribution to the Hong Kong athletic community. Also recognized was Sheila Purves for her contribution with the Hong Kong Ladies Road Runners Club. Sheila is also an AVOHK member. Please read the article in the newsletter.
There is a large contingent of 100 plus Hong Kong Masters athletes heading to compete in the Taiwan Masters athletic championship being held 27/28 April 2024. A big thank you to Club member Mick Wong for his contribution to the team organization.
A reminder the 2024 World Masters Athletics Championships are being held in Gothenburg, Sweden, 13th to 25th August. It is hoped, as usual that there will be a sizeable Hong Kong masters team competing. Entry is open and closes on 4th June 2024. Details are here: https://www.2024wmac.com/. If you require further information, contact me: chair@avohk.org.
AVOHK SOCIAL RUN, 7pm, Wednesday, 10th April 2024. Meet 7pm at Hopewell Centre (BMW shop), then walk up to Bowen Road. Start running eastwards along Tai Hang Road and finish in Causeway Bay / Happy Valley with a casual drink and snacks. Around 7km run in ~60 minutes, easy social pace. Paved roads, no torch required. You may bring change of clothes – and cash for the food and drinks (optional) afterwards. Contact Norman (9249 1452) or Frank (9423 5422) for further information.
A large newsletter this month, including a report from Aldo Kriel who recently competed in the European Masters Indoor Athletic Championships in Torun, Poland, as a guest. Please do take time to read.
Yours in running Colin Whittington