Message from the Chair – May 2021

Dear AVOHK Members

It is good to see the Government and businesses finally putting some urgency in motivating Hong Kong residents to get vaccinated. I hope this is a pathway to allowing more races and sports events to be organized. Also well done to the government for including our good friends at RUN in the vaccination programme.

The last month has been awful for news. The 100k ultramarathon disaster in China where 21 runners out of a field of 172 perished during extreme cold weather conditions. An almost unthinkable tragedy in our sport. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends and fellow runners.

Last weekend we received the very sad news of the passing in UK of running legend and sportswear pioneer, Ron Hill MBE, at the age of 82. Ron had a special connection with AVOHK and Hong Kong in that Ron won the very first China Coast Marathon in 1981 in 2 hr 34 min. The first race was organized by Andy Blunier – an innovator in race organisation in Hong Kong in the 70’s/80’s. The marathon was eventually taken over by AVOHK a number of years later. There are some very good articles on Ron in this month’s newsletter. Also a wonderful article in the SCMP.

Official notice of the 2021 AVOHK AGM scheduled to be held at Café 8 on Thursday, 17th May 2021 was sent out last week. Details inside the newsletter. Three options this year. (1) Attend in person subject to having 2nd vaccination by 3rd June. (2) Attend virtually via Zoom. (3) Submit proxy vote. Please get your responses in soonest. Thank you.

On the subject of the AGM, Phil Booth having completed 5 years as Vice Chair will be standing down in accordance with the constitution but will be remaining on the committee. I would like to personally thank Phil for all the advice he has given me during the last 5 years and also for his long service to the Club. Many more years to come we hope. In the last newsletter, I mentioned that Elaine Hall has put her name forward to be the next AVOHK Chair. Elaine has served for many years on the committee and is an excellent candidate to be the next AVOHK Chair and will be the first female Chair for a very long time.

Well done to our AVOHK athletes (Mark Russell, Bradley Chan, Chan Siu-hin and Michelle Kwok) who competed in the recent Hong Kong Athletic Series 3 held on 24th May 2021 at Tsuen Kwan O. Results at https://hkaaa.com/en/comp_athlete_info.php?id=183.

In this month’s newsletter there is the usual acerbic contribution from “Railbird” in “Heard at the Track”. A few people have asked me recently on “WhatsApp” with “Railbird”. I said I think he is working on a different “Signal” these days. Seriously we all value “Railbirds” contribution. It often brightens our day up. Some very positive news from Ian Polson in “Swimming Matters”. There is an update on Jessica Cheng’s progress in her attempt to make the Hong Kong Olympic Team. There are also 2 links to interviews given recently by our 2 Honorary club members Dave Bedford OBE and Rod Dixon. Both fascinating interviews. Other wonderful articles on a whole range of subjects. Please take time to read.

This is my last newsletter before I step down after 5 years as AVOHK Chair. I would like to thank all those Club members and especially the committee that have supported me and given their time voluntarily to keep this wonderful Club going. AVOHK enters its 40th year in 2022 and hopefully many more successful years ahead. Finally a big thank you to Vicent, who continues to do a great job of pulling the AVOHK monthly newsletter together.

The Club Monthly Social Run will be held on Wednesday, 2nd June 2021. Meeting at 7pm outside the Hopewell Centre by HSBC. Current COVID-19 restrictions apply. For further details, contact Frank Riehm at membership@avohk.org. PLEASE DO TRY AND COME ALONG. It is fun.

I hope to see you at the AGM on the 17th June 2021. Physically or virtually.

Stay safe, fit and healthy.

Yours in Running

Colin Whittington
Chairman