Message from the chair – Jan 2024

Dear Members,

Sunday, 4th February 2024, sees the return of the AVOHK China Coast Marathon and Half Marathon after a four-year break due to COVID. Co-Race Directors Dave Smith and Catherine Leonard have put in a tremendous amount of hard work to ensure this event is ready. Especially the coordination with the various government departments and the Police. The Club commend Dave and Catherine for their long-standing dedication to AVOHK’s biggest event of the year and one of Hong Kong’s most historic races. Of course, this event could not happen without the support and help of many Club volunteers and other volunteer groups. A big thank you to those who volunteered when asked. Thank you also to those Club members who have entered either the full marathon or the half marathon. We all look forward to seeing many AVOHK Club vests on the course. Wishing you all a very successful race.

2023/24 Hong Kong Cross Country Championships are being held on Sunday, 25th February 2024 at Fanling. You do need to have a current HKAAA membership to enter. Included is a Masters Team event, anyone 35 years and over. If you are interested in being part of an AVOHK Masters Team (4 runners per team), please email me soonest at chair@avohk.org. Deadline for entry is Tuesday, 6th February 2024, and details of the event at https://www.hkaaa.com/en/comp_details.php?id=233

2023/24 Hong Kong Road Racing Walking Championships are being held on Tuesday, 13th February 2024, on Lung Wo Road, Wan Chai. Entry deadline is Monday, 5th February 2024. Entry details: https://www.hkaaa.com/en/comp_details.php?id=235.

If any Club member is interested in volunteering to be on the AVOHK Committee, please contact me at chair@avohk.org. Always good to have some new faces and we do need a strong committee to keep the Club going. Historically, the turnover on the committee has been low but we do have a couple of vacancies coming up. Those on the committee enjoy giving back to our Club, sport and the community through our AVOHK activities. The AVOHK Committee meet on a regular basis, approximately every six weeks and our next meeting is on Monday, 4th March 2024.

The AVOHK Swimming Group has restarted at the Wan Chai Pool from Monday, 22nd January 2024, and membership is full. On the subject of swimming, well done to Doug Woodring on winning Gold Medals in the M55 50M freestyle and 50m Butterfly in the Hong Kong Masters Long Course swimming championships held in December.

Please do take time to read the AVOHK newsletter, there are always some interesting articles. This month AVOHK Club member John Brewer details his experience at the recent Macau Marathon and the personal reasons for running this race. Also, Isaac Yuen writes about winning his M35 bronze medal at the World Masters 24 Hrs Championships held in Taiwan in December and what it took to achieve that. Two fascinating stories.

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

Yours in running Colin Whittington