Author: ALDO K

Dear Members,

I hope you are all enjoying the festive season and taking time out to relax and recharge your batteries.

Not too far until AVOHK’s big event of the year, the 2024 China Coast Marathon and Half Marathon will take place on Sunday, 4th February 2024. 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/

Reminder – Membership renewal. For those on an annual membership renewal, now is the time to renew for 2024. RENEW here: https://app.joinit.com/o/athletic-veterans-of-hong-kong/members

The AVOHK Christmas Party was held on 14th December 2023 at Museum Cafe8. Approximately 40 members and guests attended and they were entertained and dazzled by Zenneth the Magician. Melody and her team at Museum Cafe8 put on a wonderful buffet and made sure we were well fed. The evening was rounded off by the traditional lucky draw and the Club are very grateful for the donation of a number of bottles of Champagne by Club Member Johnny. A thoroughly enjoyable evening was had by all. A big thanks to Aldo, Phil, Frank and Catherine in helping to make this event a success.

The AVOHK Club Monthly Social Run is normally held on the first Wednesday in the month. However, the next one is at 7pm on 10th January 2024. Meeting outside the BMW Shop (formerly, HSBC), for further details contact Norman 9249 1452 or Frank 9423 5422.

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 selected to represent Hong Kong, China, in the 2024 Asian Marathon Championships which is being held in conjunction with the Hong Kong Marathon on Sunday, 21st January 2024.

The December AVOHK Newsletter contains some wonderful articles, including one by Ronald Thompson who describes how in November he successfully completed a solo “Round the Island” swim. An amazing journey. Please read.

Well done to Issac Yuen M35 who competed in the World Masters Athletic 24hr Championships in Taipei in early December. Issac completed an amazing 211 Kms in 24 hours for a 3rd place finish in the M35 category. A well-deserved bronze medal. Issac will be writing about his experience in next month’s newsletter.

On a final note, one of our longest serving and one of our most active Club members – Bill Purves – turns 80 shortly. Bill, on behalf of all AVOHK, many happy returns on reaching the grand age of “80”. We all look forward to your continued contribution to AVOHK and the Hong Kong Masters Athletics community and competing in the M80 category.

Yours in running Colin Whittington

World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships 2023

Congratulations to all of the athletes who represented Hong Kong, China, at the World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships in Toruń, Poland, last month! There were several AVOHK runners on the team, and they did us proud. Aldo Kriel has written a full report on the meet for the newsletter.

The Malcolm Phillips Age-Graded 5k 2023

The race is now open for entry. It will once again be held on the flat, fast Bowen Road course, and all finish times will be age-graded. It’s a great way to track your performance across the years. For full details of the race happening on Saturday, 20th May, and to enter, please visit www.avohk.org.

AGM and Sports Nutrition Presentation

The AVOHK AGM 2023 will be held at Café 8 in Central at 7pm on Thursday, 8th June. The meeting will be followed by a buffet meal, and we are also delighted to host a presentation about Sports Nutrition by Lisa Tarquini.

Lisa Tarquini is a UK-registered nutritionist with an MSc in Exercise and Nutrition Science. She has had a long career working with athletes of all levels. She was Sport Nutrition Manager at the Hong Kong Sports Institute for 6 years and worked closely with athletes on their journey to Asian Games and Olympic success. Lisa will be giving a presentation about sports nutrition and will be happy to address any questions runners may have.

Full notice of the AGM, along with proxy and nomination forms, will be sent out to Club members this week.