Message from the Chair – Sep 23
September was a turbulent month for weather with a super typhoon and black rainstorms to contend with. This resulted in AVOHK having to postpone the first race in the AVOHK 5K series. Good news was to follow and AVOHK held the rearranged Bowen Road 5km on Saturday, 23 September 2023. Freeman Lee, the Race Director, rounded up the volunteer helpers (thank you to all) to make the race a success. One hundred and seventy runners toed the line for an 8am start. Some very credible results in all age categories which can be found here:
Thank you to Watsons Water for sponsoring the series and to Freeman Lee for nailing the race organization. Just confirmed Race 2 of the 5k series will be held at Tai Tam Tuk on Saturday, 7 October 2023. 8am start.
Last shoutout to represent AVOHK at the 2023 Hong Kong Masters Athletics Championships which are being held at Wan Chai Sports Ground from 27 to 29 October 2023. Entries need to be in by Friday, 29 September 2023. Contact Aldo Kriel, the club captain, for this event at vicechair@avohk.org. 20+ club members have signed up.
Enter now and get training for the 2024 AVOHK China Coast Marathon and Half Marathon which is being held on Sunday, 4 February 2024. The usual early-bird discounts and club discounts apply. Please enter and support AVOHKs biggest event of the year which was first held in 1981. Enter online here: https://avohk.org/index.php/2023/09/15/welcome-back-to-the-china-coast-4-feb-2024/. Dave Smith and Catherine Leonard are the co-race directors.
Details on the new AVOHK Club Vest and availability will be announced shortly. A big thank you to Phil Booth for seeing this project through.
AVOHK are looking at the possibility of holding a reservoir race at Aberdeen Reservoir on Sunday, 11 November 2023. Watch out for further details.
Date for your diary. The AVOHK Christmas Party will be held at Museum Café (old Café 8) at 7pm on Thursday, 14 December 2023. We plan to arrange some entertainment and the usual Lucky Draw, HKD 250 for Club members and HKD 350 for guests. This includes 2 drinks and a sumptuous buffet. Thank you to Aldo Kriel who has volunteered to co-ordinate.
Rod Dixon, an AVOHK honorary Club member, 4-time Olympian and running legend, will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of his heroic 1983 New York City Marathon win on Sunday, 5 November 2023. Described in many running magazines as one of the greatest ever marathon victories, Rod lives out his accomplishments through his Rod Dixon Kids marathon foundation, taking his programme to many schools in the US and his home country of New Zealand. You can contribute here: https://www.kidsmarathonfoundation.org/tcs-new-york-city-marathon-2023.
Social Events
The monthly Club Social Run is held on the first Wednesday in the month. Next one is at 7pm on Wednesday, 4 October 2023. Meeting at the Hopewell Centre outside BMW Shop (formerly, HSBC). For further details, contact Norman 9249 1452 or Frank 9423 5422.
An AVOHK Club Social Gathering for members to relax and chat about running and athletics will be held at “Bobby’s Rabble” at 46 Wyndham Street. Starting at 6pm on Thursday, 19 October 2023. For further details, contact Aldo Kriel 6125 7913 or vice-chair@avohk.org .
Committee
The next AVOHK Committee meeting will take place on Monday, 16 October 2023, at 7pm.
Yours in running
Colin Whittington
AVOHK Chair