Message from the Chair – Dec 2021

China Coast Marathon 

As 2021 draws to a close, AVOHK’s focus is firmly fixed on the upcoming 2022 China Coast Marathon on January 16th. Race opportunities were sadly limited by the pandemic in 2021 but, through the races that we have been able to organise, we have developed a good working relationship with the Home Affairs Bureau and we have been liaising with them to organise the China Coast Marathon. The 2022 event will be a full marathon only and there are still spaces available, so please visit www.avohk.org to sign up. Buses will be provided to transport runners to the Start in Sai Kung Country Park. 

Christmas Party 

It was lovely to see lots of AVOHK runners and swimmers at the recent Christmas Party at Café 8. As always, Melody and the team there did a wonderful job of hosting us. It turned into a lively night with AVOHK members joining our guitarist Keith Raymont “onstage” for a bit of a singalong at the end! 

AVOHK and HKAAA Membership 

Please don’t forget to renew your AVOHK membership if you are an Annual Member. Life Members do not need to renew. As a Club member, it is also worth considering becoming an HKAAA member as you will then become eligible for priority entry to HKAAA events, such as the Standard Chartered Marathon. HKAAA membership is handled separately through www.hkaaa.com. 

New Marathon Record 

I would like to congratulate AVOHK runner Gi Ka-man who ended the year with an incredible run at The Valencia Marathon on December 4th. Ka-man headed to Spain with hopes of breaking his previous personal best. This would be no mean feat as it was an impressive time of 2:30:27. He was not expecting to run as fast as did however, and his time of 2:19:48 is the fastest ever run by a Hong Kong Runner! It has been a great season for him as many of you will have seen him cross the line at the Standard Chartered Half Marathon in October alongside Chan Ka-ho. Their times were ultimately split by one 100th of a second, with Gi Ka-man being awarded 2nd place overall in the elite category. The marathon record is still being ratified by HKAAA, but it is obviously also a new AVOHK record. 

I hope that you all have a lovely holiday season, but keep getting those miles in for the China Coast Marathon! I am looking forward to seeing you in 2022. 

Happy running! 

Elaine Hall
Chair, AVOHK