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After a very difficult year, last week’s AGM at Café 8 was a more cheerful affair with Club members finally able to get together. Although Colin and Phil stepped down as chairman and vice-chairman after 5 years in the roles, we are delighted that they are both still very involved with AVOHK. As the new Chair, I am extremely grateful to Colin for agreeing to serve as Vice-Chair for a year and to Phil for stepping up as Race Director of the Reservoir Series.

Malcolm Phillips Virtual Race 2021

Having skipped a year in 2020, the ever-popular Malcolm Phillips Age-Graded race will return in 2021, this time in a virtual format. Further details will be emailed to members soon and you will also be able to check out information on the AVOHK website at www.avohk.org.

Mo Devlin

Many of you will have been concerned to have heard that Mo Devlin, a very active AVOHK member, had a serious accident last week while cycling. Mo’s partner, Janine has been keeping his many friends in the running community updated on his progress. The good news is that Mo has now been transferred out of the Intensive Care Unit and is now on the High Dependency Unit. I know that everyone will be very relieved to hear of Mo’s progress and we all wish him the very best for his recovery.

The Race Situation

Due to the ever-changing COVID restrictions, last season was one of race cancellations and disappointments. With the situation stabilising we are committed to doing everything that we can to make races happen. Our priority is to get runners running again! We have recently had some constructive communication from the Home Affairs Bureau (HAB) regarding the possibility of holding races in the near future. At the moment we don’t know what that might look like. It is likely that virtual races, time trial starts and limited fields may be a feature. It is also looking likely that vaccinations will be a key factor in allowing physical, as opposed to virtual, races to go ahead. If this is the case then we will also need to call on our members to volunteer at a race, whenever they can as we may have a limited pool of vaccinated volunteers to call upon. The HAB also indicated to us that permission is only likely to be granted for races to go ahead a few weeks in advance. I’m sure that you will appreciate the knock-on effect on the organisation of races. The usual souvenirs may not be in evidence this year as, again, our priority is to make races happen.

Happy running!

Elaine Hall
Chair

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

Dear AVOHK Members

The COVID situation in Hong Kong continues to improve with restrictions being relaxed. Probably slower than we would like, but at least heading in the right direction. Vaccinations are the key to giving us all more protection and we are more fortunate than most other countries in that vaccinations are readily available in Hong Kong. I had my 2nd jab a few weeks ago.

The AVOHK AGM will be held on Thursday, 17th June 2021, at Café 8. Given the current level of COVID restrictions it looks like we will be able to physically meet up. Should the situation change, we will advise accordingly. Doors will open at 6.30pm and the meeting will start at 7pm. This year after 5 years in the post of AVOHK Chair I will be standing down in accordance with the AVOHK Constitution. I have some excellent news to announce and that is Elaine Hall will be putting her name forward to stand as the next AVOHK Chair at the AGM. Elaine has spent a number of years on the committee and we thank Elaine for volunteering to stand. Phil Booth also has come to the end of his 5 years as Vice Chair but will still continue to be a member of the committee. I intend to stand as Vice Chair at the AGM and assist Elaine as she transitions into the role as Chair. Official notice of the AGM will be sent out in due course and all Club officers posts do need to be voted in by our members.

AVOHK were well represented at the recent HKAAA 5K road race championships. Just getting entered and to the start line was an achievement in itself. Mark Russell had a great run leading AVOHK home and was 3rd Junior in 16 min 19 sec and 22nd overall. Relatively new member Tse Chun-kuen ran a splendid 17 min 22 sec for 51st overall. Good runs also by Wong Ka-ho, 18 min 28 sec, Vaibhav Bhoovaraham, 18 min 36 sec, and Bradley Chan (just joined last month), 19 min 20 sec. In the ladies, an outstanding run by Charlie Hall who was the first Junior lady home in 18 min 39 sec and 3rd lady overall. Good solid run by Fang Yuk-mui in 22 min 4 sec. There is a report by the athletes themselves in the newsletter giving their own experience of these championships.

The AVOHK Committee have been discussing our plans to host races in 2021/22. Our current plan is to try and put on a 5K series starting in August. What size of field and what arrangements needed is something we are still looking at. For the 2021/22 AVOHK Reservoir Series, provisionally AVOHK would like to kick off with the Aberdeen Reservoir race on Sunday, 26th September. This year after some discussion we have decided to move the Reservoir Series back to Sunday mornings. The committee feel this will be better supported by the running community. Catherine Leonard and Dave Smith have been busily submitting requests to AFCD to host the 2022 AVOHK China Coast Marathon on Sunday, 16th January 2022. Looking good so far. By the next newsletter we hope to have more information about all these Club events.

Any member requiring an AVOHK Club Vest, please contact Phil Booth at clubkit@avohk.org . Phil has plenty of stock in both Men’s and Ladies sizes. Club members are required to wear them for all HKAAA events but that look great in any race. They also make an excellent present for any occasion. A bargain at HKD150.

There is no further news on the recently postponed Hong Kong Masters Athletic Championships, but we are all hoping that Pacers find a suitable date and venue.

In this month’s newsletter, there are no shortage of interesting articles and, in particular, I would like to highlight the recent efforts by former AVOHK Member Jake Smith, who is now based in UK. Ian Polson writes in “Swimming Matters” highlighting the necessity for us all to get vaccinated. The usual contribution from “The Railbird” in “Heard at the Track” and some wonderful news on Yuko Gordon (Hong Kong Olympian) on breaking the M70 UK Marathon age record.

The Club Monthly Social Run will be held on Wednesday, 5th May 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.

Stay safe fit and healthy.

Yours in Running

Colin Whittington
Chairman

The COVID-19 situation in Hong Kong continues to improve and the beaches and swimming pools will be open from this Thursday, 1 April. A long overdue event. The AVOHK Swimming Section look forward to returning to the Wan Chai Pool. Let’s hope the vaccination programme roll-out starts gathering some pace and we can all have that extra layer of protection and prepare us all for the new normal.

Well done to the HKAAA, who have managed to arrange a series of track and field meetings over the next couple of months. But under very restricted conditions and with no spectators. In the Pre-Season trials held on 20 March 2021, AVOHK were represented by Mark Russell, who finished 3rd overall in the Men’s 1,500m in a time of 4 min 17 sec and Swiss Duangthip 6th overall in 4 min 35 sec. The first Asics Series was held over the weekend on 27/28th March 2021 at TKO. Up and coming Hong Kong triathlete, Charlie Hall, recorded a fine win in the women’s 1,500m with a time of 4 min 49 sec with Swiss Duangthip 5th in the 3,000m Steeplechase in 11 min 31 sec and Chan Siu-hin 6th in the same event in 14 min 32 sec. Well done to Charlie, Mark, Swiss and Siu-hin for keeping the AVOHK name out there.

The HKAAA are also organising a 2021 Hong Kong 5K Road Championships race to be held on Sunday, 18 April, in Lantau. Notification has already gone out to members and the deadline for entry is 31 March 2021. Thanks to Freeman Lee for coordinating AVOHK’s entries. One of the conditions of entry is to have a negative COVID Test. Note: This event is only open to HKAAA members. For further details on HKAAA events, go to www.hkaaa.com.

Honorary Club member, Dave Bedford OBE, assisted his son Tom Bedford, the Race Director, who was responsible for putting on the GB Olympic trials for the Marathon and 20K race walk. The GB trials were held on Friday, 26 March, in the very beautiful Kew Gardens. One for the masters, 39-year-old Chris Thomson won the men’s marathon in 2 hr 10 min and booked his Olympic place for Japan. Well done to Tom and Dave Bedford for putting on an outstanding event in very restricted conditions. In a very nice touch, the first 3 in each event were presented with a Bonsai Tree.

The AVOHK committee are scheduled to meet again on Wednesday, 14 April 2021, and hopefully I will be able to update the members on what events AVOHK plan to organise for the remainder of 2021. A reminder that the AVOHK AGM will be held at 7pm on Thursday, 17 June 2021, at Café 8. Assuming conditions continue to improve, it will be a great opportunity for members to get together. Official notification will go out in due course.

Do take time to read this month’s newsletter as there are some wonderful articles and of course the valuable contribution from Railbird in “Heard at the Track”.

The Club Monthly Social Run will be held on Wednesday, 7 April 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.

I wish all AVOHK members a wonderful Easter break.

Stay safe fit and healthy.

Yours in Running

Colin Whittington
Chairman

Dear AVOHK Members

The Club said a final farewell to Frank Pilkington at a Memorial Service held at Cape Collinson on Sunday, 7 February 2021. Despite the COVID-19 restrictions, AVOHK were represented and the Club is very grateful to Ada for including AVOHK and Frank’s running friends from a cross section of the community. Frank’s son Stephen gave a very moving eulogy via phone from Sydney. I spoke of Frank’s contribution to AVOHK, master’s athletics and his overall contribution and participation in many races and trail events both in Hong Kong and overseas. Alistair Asprey CBE spoke of Frank’s earlier career with the Hong Kong RAF rescue team as a volunteer and Mike Featherston spoke of Frank’s time with the Hash Group. Frank was a wonderful warm and generous person and will be missed by us all. Our thoughts are still with Ada, Frank’s family and his many friends.

At the AVOHK Committee meeting held on Wednesday, 24 February, via Zoom, the Committee welcomed Aldo Kriel. Aldo is a great addition to the committee and his background is in the 100m/200m sprints. Aldo has been a regular competitor for AVOHK at the Hong Kong Masters Athletic Championships and has also competed in overseas masters athletic meetings.

On the AVOHK-organized races, the committee have started looking at potential dates for the 5K series and the Reservoir Series in the hope that there are better days ahead in 2021 and will announce these dates in due course. We are also looking at dates for the 2022 China Coast Marathon and the Club plan to host that on either Sunday, 9 January 2022, or Sunday, 16 January 2022, subject to the necessary permits. The annual Round-the-Island will not be held in 2021 and the next RTI will likely be held in April 2022. The committee are looking to kick off 2021 with the annual Malcolm Phillips Memorial 5K race once COVID-19 restrictions have eased further and a suitable window is available.

Mark Reeves sent out an email this week informing all members that the 2021 Hong Kong Masters Athletics Championships has been rescheduled to Sundays, 18 and 25 April 2021. Deadline for entries is 15 March 2021. Also sent via email this week are details on the HKAAA planned track events. Numbers are very restrictive. Freeman Lee is coordinating AVOHK entries.

Date for your Diary, the AVOHK AGM will be held at 7pm on Thursday, 17 June 2021, at Café 8. The Chairman and Phil Booth as Vice Chairman will be standing down. Club officers can only serve a maximum of 5 years in the same post in accordance with the AVOHK constitution. Discussions for a new Chair and Vice Chair to be nominated are under way.

In this month’s newsletter there are again some wonderful articles, including one by Club Member Andre Blumberg on the recently-held 4 trails event (298km). This year was by invitation only and included our very own Virginie Goethals who successfully completed the distance and made it to the Green Post Box in Mui Wo as a “Survivor”. Paul Jackson very kindly wrote a lovely article on the benefits of AVOHK’s life membership and the usefulness of the AVOHK newsletter. Last year Paul relocated back to UK after having spent 35 years in Hong Kong. Paul’s happy smiling face will be missed at our races. But the good news is that Paul is planning to return to Hong Kong from time to time. Great article by Chris Watts on Fascia. Chris has been a guest speaker at our AVOHK AGMs. Ian Polson talks about the frustrating time for the Swimmers in “Swimming Matters” as the beaches and the pools still remain closed. Several other great articles. Enjoy the read.

The Club Monthly Social Run will resume on Wednesday, 3 March 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.

Stay safe, fit and healthy.

Yours in Running

Colin Whittington
Chairman

The Club is starting 2021 with the very sad news of the passing of one of AVOHK’s much-loved and one of the Club’s most active members, Frank Pilkington. 

Frank passed away suddenly at his home on Monday, 11 January 2021, only a few days after celebrating his 79th birthday. Our thoughts are with his wife Ada, family and the many friends Frank had. It is a big shock and a big loss to us all. 

Frank’s memorial service will be held at Cape Collinson on Sunday, 7 February 2021. AVOHK will be represented but, unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the numbers able to attend are extremely restricted. Thank you for your understanding. 

In this month’s newsletter, there is an article on Frank’s passing. There is also is a Facebook group page that his family have set up where you can leave your thoughts and memories. There are a lot of wonderful comments already: https://www.facebook.com/groups/inmemoryoffrankpilkington.

At the January meeting, the committee decided, due to COVID-19 restrictions and the unclear future for holding races, that there would not be an AVOHK China Coast Marathon and Half Marathon in 2021. Rather that the focus should be on planning for January / February 2022. Sadly, the 2021 Round-the-Island, which we had hoped to hold in April, will now be held in 2022. 

As regards the AVOHK 5K Series and the 2021/22 AVOHK Reservoir Series, the committee are hoping the situation improves and that we can hold both series.

The 6th Hong Kong Masters Athletic Championships organized by the Pacers has been pushed back from 28 February 2021 (Day 1) and 7 March 2021 (Day 2) to mid-April. Dates to be confirmed. Further details can be found here: http://hkmac.org/.

If you would like an AVOHK Club running vest, please contact Phil Booth at clubkit@avohk.org. Male and female sizes are available. Cost: HKD150.

On some positive news, a big congratulations to Catherine Leonard on receiving the HKAAA 10-Year long service award in the recent 2019 HKAAA virtual awards ceremony. Catherine was put forward for the award by our good friends at the Ladies Club (HKLRRC). 

Congratulations also to Cade Wright on being awarded the 2019 HKAAA Junior Athlete of the Year. Cade relocated to Scotland with her family last summer and prior to leaving competed in many AVOHK 5K Series in various age groups.

Please do take time to read the newsletter as there are some wonderful articles, including Swimming Matters, 5 Reasons Why You Cannot Run Faster and Bye to BMI. Please note the World Masters Games due to be held in Japan in May 2021 has been postponed until 2022. Enjoy the read.

Stay fit and stay healthy.

Yours in Running

Colin Whittington
Chairman

Dear AVOHK Members

I trust you all had the best Christmas you could have had given the COVID-19 restrictions. As we close out 2020, this is certainly a year we will not easily forget.

All members should have recently received an email updating them on the 2021 China Coast Marathon. The Club have been in direct contact with the Home Affairs Bureau with the regard to the planning of this event. Had the situation not deteriorated in late-November / early-December, we believe AVOHK had a format that would have been acceptable. Reduced numbers to 150 and a marathon only. But given the recent increased restrictions and current situation, it was not wise to pursue our request any further. Rather, the Club will wait until the COVID-19 situation improves and continue to work with the Home Affairs Bureau. Watch this space for further information. Race Directors Dave Smith and Catherine Leonard have their fingers crossed.

The 6th Hong Kong Masters Athletic Championships was postponed in early December. It has been rescheduled by the organizing club Pacers Athletics Club to Sunday, 28 February 2021 (Day 1), and Sunday, 7 March 2021 (Day 2). The event will be held at Pak Shek Kok Sports Centre, Education University of Hong Kong. It should be noted that age group is determined by the age of the athlete on 28 February 2021.

Reminders have gone out to those members that renew their Club membership on an annual basis and also to the swimming group for payment of their annual pool fees.

Birthday greeting to Honorary Life Member Dave Bedford OBE (Olympian, former 10,000m World Record Holder and London Marathon Director). Dave turns 71 on 30 December 2020. Celebrations of a few beers down the pub in London followed by a curry probably won’t happen this year, but I am sure will be duly celebrated somehow. From all at AVOHK, Happy Birthday, Dave.

As promised, in this month’s newsletter Thomas Wetzer has written about his experience in running the perimeter of Hong Kong Island (Approx 70km). Thomas completed this journey with his good friend Felix Cauro and also raised valuable funds for the Alzheimer’s society. There are a number of other interesting articles in this month’s newsletter, please do take time to read.

As we approach 2021 and welcome in the New Year, I would like to take this opportunity of thanking Vicent Ang for diligently putting the monthly AVOHK newsletter together and for being a great Club member. I would also like to thank the AVOHK committee for their support during 2020. Although it has been a turbulent time the AVOHK Committee continue to meet regularly via Zoom.

Wishing all AVOHK Club Members good luck and good health in 2021 and for better times ahead.

Stay Fit and Stay Healthy.

Yours in Running

Colin Whittington
Chairman

Dear AVOHK Members

Due to the recent surge in COVID-19 infections and the call from the Hong Kong Government to reduce social activity, AVOHK had little option but to cancel one of the social events of the year – the 2020 AVOHK Christmas Party – which was due to be held on Wednesday, 9 December 2020. The only saving grace is that the AVOHK Committee had not started sending out requests for members to attend and we were able to give our friends at Café 8 plenty of notice.

The 2021 China Coast Marathon due to be held on Sunday, 10 January 2021, is still on the table and we are hoping that the COVID-19 situation improves to a level where AVOHK can obtain approval to host this event in a safe environment. On our last correspondence with the Hong Kong Government and based on their feedback, AVOHK have dropped the Half Marathon and the current revised proposal is to have a Marathon only with a maximum field size of 100 to 150 runners. Race Directors Dave Smith and Catherine Leonard are keeping their fingers crossed.

Some good news, one of AVOHK’s leading Junior athletes Swiss Duangthip competed recently in the HKAAA Asics Junior Age Group Athletic Championships. Swiss proudly running in his AVOHK vest won the 1,500m and finished 2nd in the 800m. Great results by Swiss and you can read his report in this month’s newsletter.

On the swimming front, Jason and Johnny are busily coordinating the annual renewal of the swimming group membership that will use the Wan Chai pool for 2021. AVOHK also say goodbye to Francesco Romagnoli, one of the stalwarts of the swimming group. Francesco leaves Hong Kong shortly and returns to his native Italy.

AVOHK Member Thomas Wetzer on Saturday, 28 November 2020, is planning to run the perimeter of Hong Kong Island (Approx 70 km). Thomas is running with his friend Felix Cauro and raising funds for the Alzheimer’s Society. Thomas will be updating us all on his efforts shortly. AVOHK wish Thomas and Felix a safe and successful journey.

In this month’s newsletter, the beaches are open and Swimming Matters is back and we thank Ian Polson for his contribution. There is a great article on AVOHK Honorary Life Member Rod Dixon (Olympic medalist and winner of 1983 New York marathon) on the great work Rod continues to do in the running community. Bill Purves updates us on recent success in the SHTB walking training competition. There is a good selection of articles, please do make some time to read the newsletter.

Finishing on a very Christmas theme, AVOHK are big supporters of the RUN refugee not-for-profit organisation. They do fantastic work with the refugees in the Hong Kong community. If you are still looking for some unique ideas for Christmas, shop here: https://www.runhk.org/shop/.

The AVOHK Monthly Social Run is suspended until the COVID-19 situation improves. For further details on the monthly social run, contact Frank Riehm.

Yours in Running

Colin Whittington
Chairman

Dear AVOHK Members

I hope you and your families are fit and healthy and managing the best you can under the current Covid-19 restrictions. On a positive note, it is encouraging to see the running tracks open again and athletes back doing their trackwork and the coaches being able to earn a living. After many months, the AVOHK swimming group return to the Wan Chai Pool on Monday, 28 September 2020. A big thank you to Johnny Cheng who has been working closely with LCSD to ensure AVOHK maintain our lane bookings.

On Tuesday, 15 September 2020, the AVOHK Committee held their first ever virtual committee meeting via Zoom. I can report it was well attended and although there are no races at the moment there was a lot of Club business to discuss. This was the committee’s first meeting since the AGM. The 2020 Round-the-Island Time Trial which was due to be held on Sunday, 11 October 2020, will be moved to April. The exact date yet to be confirmed. The 2020/21 Reservoir series is on hold until we can get clear direction from the government whether it will be possible to hold any reservoir races at all.

The 2021 China Coast Marathon and Half Marathon is due to be held on Sunday, 10 January 2021. AVOHK have been proactive and a proposal has been submitted to the relevant Government department with a request to hold both races with a limited number of runners and within a safe environment. We plan to follow up shortly and have given ourselves until the 31 October 2020 to make a go/no-go decision. The China Coast Marathon is one of Hong Kong’s most historic races and has been put on every year since 1981. The AVOHK committee are remaining positive that this long streak can continue but are mindful that the health of our runners and providing a safe environment is AVOHK’s first priority.

Date for your diary. One of the top Hong Kong social events of the year – the AVOHK Christmas Party – will be held at Café 8 on Wednesday, 9 December 2020. We are hoping that conditions continue to improve to allow us all to get together during the festive season.

Wanted: The Club are looking for a volunteer to take over the management of the AVOHK website content and a possible upgrade to give the site a new look and feel. Content management is one of the key responsibilities. Any interested volunteer, please contact chair@avohk.org.

AVOHK do not normally promote other groups’ races but the RUN refugee group are dear to AVOHK’s heart and we do what we can to support. RUN have had to cancel their annual fundraising race in November and will now be holding a virtual Resilience Run #WithRefugees event between 16 and 25 October 2020. Entry details are here and it is for a great cause: http://www.runhk.org/resilience-run/.

In this month’s newsletter are the details of the 7th Hong Kong Masters Athletic Championship due to be held on 13 December 2020 at the Pak Shek Kok Sports Centre. This event is organized by the Pacers Club. Entry is not yet open and we are still waiting for further details to see what if any Covid-19 restrictions will be placed on this event. A separate email will go out to all Club members once further information is known.

There are 2 track meets organized by the HKAAA coming up shortly. The Hong Kong Athletic Trials on 10/11 October 2020 and the Hong Kong Junior Age Group Championships on 17/18 October, both at Tsuen Kwan O Sports Ground. AVOHK have submitted entries for four athletes for both events and we wish them well. For further information on HKAAA events, click https://hkaaa.com/tc/index.php.

In this month’s newsletter, there are some interesting articles, including an article on a Hong Kong swimmer swimming the English Channel. The usual from our stalwart contributor Railbird. Please do take time to read.

The AVOHK Social Run returns and will be held on at 7pm, Wednesday, 7 October 2020, starting from the Hopewell Centre. For further details, contact Frank Riehm. Covid-19 group number restrictions apply.

Yours in Running

Colin Whittington
Chairman