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AVOHK Races

Save the date : China coast marathon and half marathon : 12 Jan 2025

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The China Coast Marathon and Half Marathon, scheduled for January 12, 2025, promises to be an exciting and challenging event for running enthusiasts. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Sai Kung’s coastline, this marathon offers participants an opportunity to showcase their endurance and determination.

Whether tackling the full marathon distance or opting for the half marathon, participants can expect a well-organized event with scenic routes, enthusiastic crowds, and a vibrant atmosphere. As the participants embark on their journey along the coastal roads, they will experience a mix of breathtaking ocean views, cultural landmarks, and the camaraderie of fellow runners.

The China Coast Marathon and Half Marathon on January 12, 2025, promises an unforgettable and exhilarating race experience for all those seeking an adventure on the Chinese coast.

More details to follow.

AVOHK Races

2024 Malcolm Phillips Age-Graded 5K

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4pm, Saturday, 18th May 2024
Bowen Road

The Malcolm Phillips Age-Graded 5K will be held on Saturday, 18th May at 4pm.  The start will be on Bowen Road, at the junction with Bowen Drive and, as in previous years, all results will be graded according to the Age Grade Factor tables at www.world-masters-athletics.com 

Open to runners aged 12 years – 100 years+ on 18th May!

For more details and to enter, see the link below.

If you have any questions, kindly email malcolmphillips5k@gmail.com 

In the event of a red or black rainstorm or T8 being issued by 12 noon on race day, the event will be cancelled. 

We will attempt to reschedule but there will be no entry fee refund.

ENTRIES CLOSED!

AVOHK Races

AVOHK Masters Team are runners up at the 2024 Hong Kong Cross Country Championships

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AVOHK entered a men’s Masters Team in the 2024 Hong Kong Cross Country Championships held at Fanling Golf Course on Sunday 25th Feb 2024.  Mark Reeves, David Woo, Timur Tang and Chan Siu Hin made up the team,  AVOHK had not entered a team in these championships for a number of years, so it was good to make a return this year.  Despite the cold weather the team were in high spirits and their positive approach paid off.  

The 10km course consisted of five 2km  laps and was mainly on grass but with some sections on paths and spikes were not required.  With 3 of the 4 team runners to count, David Woo with a very strong run led the team home in 10th position, with Timur Tang in 35th place, Mark Reeves (the teams elder statesman) in 37th position, backed up by Chan Siu Hin.  A great team effort finishing as the 2nd men’s Masters Team.  

AVOHK’s Maurice Szeto  (Hong Kong International athlete from the 1980’s) entered as an individual and showed that he is still at a high level of fitness finishing in the middle of the field.  Well done, Maurice. After the presentation Mark Reeves kindly invited the team back to the Hong Kong Golf Club for some refreshments and to celebrate the team’s success.  

Thanks, Mark.  There was much talk and enthusiasm for returning in 2025 with 2 teams.  The HKAAA should be congratulated for putting on a very well organised event.

AVOHK Races

AVOHK members’ results – China Coast Marathon and Half Marathon

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There were a total of 35 AVOHK members who finished the Marathon. Congratulations to AVOHK member Issac Yuen who won the overall race.  Alongside his overall winners plate and age group trophy  he  took home the John Lane Tankard, awarded to the fastest AVOHK member  in the Marathon.  In the lady’s race Lai Wai Chun was the first AVOHK member to cross the line.  

31 AVOHK members finished in the half marathon.   Casey Caps were awarded to AVOHK members Fang Yuk Mui and Chris Davies being the first AVOHK member veteran woman and man to cross the line.  Arif Erdogan was the first under 40 AVOHK man.

2024 CCM AVOHK Men Members Results – Half Marathon

2024 CCM AVOHK Members Results – Marathon

2024 CCM AVOHK Women Members Results – Half Marathon

Message from the Chair

Message from the Chair – Nov 23

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AVOHK’s big event of the year the 2024 China Coast Marathon and Half Marathon will take place on Sun 4th Feb 2024 under the careful eye of Race Directors, Catherine Leonard and Dave Smith.  This is an AIM’s certified course and this historic event was first held in 1981.  I would like to highlight this is a wonderful  opportunity to take part as an AVOHK Club Member and wear your AVOHK Club vest.   If you are entered in the Marathon you will also be competing for the John Lane trophy, which is presented to the first AVOHK runner home. This is the only Marathon and Half Marathon in Hong Kong that offers the full range of 5 year Masters age categories from 35+ upwards and allows you to compete within your age group.  Being an AVOHK Club Member you get the entry fee discount.  Support your club, AVOHK  by entering here https://avohk.org/index.php/2023/11/16/welcome-back-to-the-china-coast-4-feb-2024/

AVOHK Christmas Party 7pm on Thursday 14th Dec 2023 at Museum Cafe8 (Above Pier 8).  Thanks to those that have signed up already.  There are still places available and a great opportunity to catch up with other club members.  Zenneth the Magician will be keeping us entertained.  This event is subsidized by the club and is a bargain at HKD 250 for members and HKD 350 for guests which includes 2 drinks, a sumptuous buffet and a raffle.  See the flyer in the newsletter and names to me please at chair@avohk.org .

The Four Trails documentary a Private viewing for AVOHK members and their guests is due to be held at Museum Cafe8 on Wed 29th Nov 2023.   It is now sold out.  A big thank you to Catherine Leonard for organizing this club event.

AVOHK Athletes have been very busy in the last month,  first at the 8th Hong Kong Masters Athletics Championships held at Wan Chai Stadium where AVOHK had a great showing coming away with 21 Golds, 8 Silvers and 3 bronze medals. Special mention goes to Aldo Kriel M40 who also won his age category overall, Frank McNamara M70  who won 4 Golds and Mick Wong M50 with 3 Golds.  AVOHK Ladies acquitted themselves well with Glory Yau W45 coming away with 2 Golds and a great victory by the AVOHK Ladies in the W40 4 x 100m.  A big thank you to Aldo Kriel for volunteering as the Team Manager and rounding everyone up.  A big thank you also to the Pacers Club and other volunteers for putting these championships on.

Secondly in early November 12 AVOHK Members  out of a team of 46 went to Clark in the Philippines to represent the Hong Kong, China Masters team in the 22nd Asia Masters Athletics Championships.  A report is in this month’s newsletter and a very nice review of these championships by Bill Purves.

AVOHK Swimmers, Andrew Waters and Ronald Thompson recently competed in the Round the Island swim.  Yes,  45km and Ronald did this solo and Andrew as part of a team relay.  All for a very worthy cause and both raising substantial donations.  Andrew has written about his experience in this month’s newsletter.  A big congratulations to Andrew and Ronald for this amazing achievement to our community in Hong Kong and putting the AVOHK name out there.

On 11th Nov 2023 AVOHK held their first Reservoir race for over 3 ½ years at Aberdeen.  A relatively small field of runners but everyone enjoyed themselves and hopefully the club will consider putting more reservoir races on in the future.  Well done to the Race Director Phil Booth and thank you to the many club volunteers that came out to make the Aberdeen Reservoir race a success.

Our 2 club Honorary Members have been in the news recently.  A special celebration was held at the 2023 New York City Marathon to mark the occasion 40 years ago that Rod Dixon won the race in dramatic style.  A finish that has been replayed thousands of times over the years. Rod of course graced AVOHK with his presence as our Guest of Honor for the 2019 China Coast Marathon.  Dave Bedford OBE was invited back to Crystal Palace recently to the venue where just over 50 years ago in 1973 Dave made history by breaking the 10,000m World Record by over 8 seconds.  Crystal Palace has been in decline in recent year’s but plans are afoot to restore Crystal Palace back as a centre of Athletics excellence.  Dave was AVOHK’s Guest of Honor for the 2017 China Coast Marathon.

Membership renewal.  No increase in Club membership fees yet again. For those on an annual membership renewal, now is the time to renew for 2024.  Please try and renew early.  RENEW Here:  https://app.joinit.com/o/athletic-veterans-of-hong-kong/members

The AVOHK Club monthly Social run is held on the first Wednesday in the month. Next one is at 7pm on Weds 6th Dec 2023.  Meeting outside the BMW Shop (formerly, HSBC) for further details, contact Norman 9249 1452 or Frank 9423 5422.

On a couple of final notes, last Friday, I was supporting Team green at Trailwalker at a point between stages 2 and 3.  Club member Mark Redfern pacing another team came past wearing his AVOHK Club vest.  A vest for all terrains and distances.  Thank you, Mark.  Just a reminder to all members the new AVOHK Club vest is available. https://avohk.org/index.php/avohk-merchandise/

Well done to club member Gi Ka Man on being the first Hong Kong runner home in the inaugural Macau Bridge Half marathon in a time of 1hr 9 mins 23 secs.

Yours in running.

Masters Track&Field

AVOHK Athletes shine at the 22nd Asia Masters Athletics Championships – Clark, Philippines

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46 (29 men and 17 women) Hong Kong Masters athletes made the 2 hour flight from Hong Kong to Clark to compete in the 22nd Asia Masters Athletics Championships hosted by the Philippines and held in New Clark City, from 8th to 12th Nov 2023.  Within the Hong Kong Masters team there were 12 AVOHK Club Members.  There were 3 venues all close by with the main stadium being of international standard.  The Hong Kong team came away with an amazing 42 medals ( 13 Gold, 18 Silver and 11 Bronze) with the team finishing 13th out of 22 countries in the overall medal table.  AVOHK athletes contributed to this total:

M55 – Mike Capper – Silver 10K Road

M50 – Mick Wong – 4 Silvers (200m, 400m, 4 x 100m relay and 4 x 400m relay)

M50 – Israel Valcarcel – Silver 800m

W45 – Glory Yau  – 2 Silvers (200m & 400m) and 1 Bronze 100m

M45 – Chan Siu Hin – Bronze 10K Road

M40 – Aldo Kriel – Silver 4 x 100m Relay

Within the overall Hong Kong Masters team there were many stunning performances, to highlight a few.  3 Gold Medals each for M55 Pancy Chu and M60 Willy Kung, 2 Gold medals each for W70 Wendy Choi, W65 Catherine Kwan, M65 Jackie Ho, W60 Lai Yin Mei and M60 Alex Yip.  The relays on the final day were really the icing on the cake.  Hong Kong were entered in 7 team relays and came away with medals in 5 of these.

Gold M60 – 4 x100m

Gold W55 – 4 x100m

Silver M40 – 4 x 100m

Silver M50 – 4 x100m

Silver M50 – 4 x 400m

Great relay team management and selection by Ceci Tse and Therry Wong.  After the M50 4x400m relay the team literally left the track and headed for Clark Airport for the 6.30pm flight back to Hong Kong. Such was the quality of opposition the M50 Japan team set a World Age Group record in the M50 4x100m in 44.43s (Hong Kong were 2nd).  A number of new Hong Kong Masters age group records were set and an update on these will appear in the next AVOHK newsletter.  Ever present at these championships and always cheering the team on was Hong Kong Masters athlete and legend, Bill Purves.

Well done to the Hong Kong Masters team on a great performance at the 22nd Asia Masters Athletic Championships.  Further details can be found here https://amacphilippines2023.com/at/medals

The 2025 Asia Masters Athletics Championships will be held at Solo, Indonesia.

AVOHK Swimming

AVOHK swimmers swim 45km to raise funds for the Splash foundation

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Here in Hong Kong, we enjoy having the longest coastline of any city in the world and an abundance of swimming pools. However, almost half of Hong Kongers and over 70% of foreign domestic workers do not know how to swim. Globally, swim illiteracy impacts women and low-income communities disproportionately, leaving 55% of the world’s population barred from the safety and wellbeing benefits of having fundamental swim skills.

On November 4th, teams of elite swimmers and business leaders will relay swim around Hong Kong Island to raise $2.5 million to address this chronic swimming illiteracy in the city. Participants of this event bring together the likes of Hong Kong Olympic swimmers Camille Cheng, educationalist and investor Philip Sohmen, and Andrew Waters, a swimmer member of the AVOHK and HK Masters swim championship competitor. Alongside the relay swimmers will be another AVOHK member, Ron Thompson who will be doing the swim solo as his original date was rescheduled to a typhoon in early October.

Funds raised will go to Splash Foundation, a local charity that has taught over 6000 children and adults from under-resourced communities to swim since 2015. Their programmes are free of cost to beneficiaries and focus on water comfort, safety and swim fundamentals. 90% of beneficiaries who start Splash programmes finish them and 81% can perform all assessment skills independently.

The marathon swim will start in the early morning hours of November 4th, going clockwise from Sandy Bay and is expected to take 11-13 hours to complete. The first four hours of the swim will be in the dark in an effort to avoid the busiest marine traffic and the swimmers will test their endurance as they take on the tides and potential jellyfish. Splash looks forward to building this iconic swim into an annual event.

Support Andrew’s team at https://www.give.asia/campaign/makewavespurple and Ron’s solo venture at https://give.asia/…/ron-thompson-swimming-hk360-for…

When more people know how to swim, the safer, stronger and healthier communities become.