Message from the Chair

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

Dear AVOHK Members

On 9th August 2020, we said our final farewell to Club Member John McKinven. A viewing was held at Hung Hom followed by a service and cremation at Cape Collinson. A number of us from AVOHK were there to pay our respects. John was also a long standing Hasher and a big shoutout to the Hash community who did so much in helping to organise both services and they certainly gave John a fitting send-off. A big thank you to AVOHK members for their donations to John’s daughter’s education fund. Donations were made directly to The Nesbitt Centre who are managing the setup of this fund with Clifford Chance and I can report that AVOHK members raised over HKD110,000. A really heartwarming and generous response. Thank you also to Kay Rawbone, the COO of The Nesbitt Centre, who personally replied to all the AVOHK members who made donations.

Most members are aware by now that the 2021 Hong Kong Marathon has been postponed from January to a date yet to be confirmed and likewise the 2020 Trailwalker date has been postponed from November to the end of January 2021. The AVOHK Committee have yet to make a decision about our own 2021 AVOHK China Coast Marathon due to be held on Sunday, 10th January 2021, and will carefully consider options over the next month and hope to report back to members in the next newsletter. The same with the 2020 Round-the-Island Time Trial currently scheduled for Sunday, 11th October 2020.

As regards the 2020/21 AVOHK Reservoir Series, there is little we can do at the moment until the Covid-19 situation improves and there is clear direction from the Hong Kong government.

Some good news to report from the RUN refugee group. Mum Louise and her daughter Laura and son Ian have been relocated with the assistance of the UNHCR to start a new life in Maine, Portland, USA. All three were active members of RUN and they flew out from Hong Kong to JFK, New York, on 25th August 2020. Louise is looking for work, whilst Laura and Ian will resume their studies. A wonderful life-changing event for this family and AVOHK wish them well. A good time to remind everyone that there are still many refugees in Hong Kong desperate for this type of opportunity. RUN hope to resume their training sessions now that the LCSD running tracks are open. For further RUN info and for volunteer opportunities, please go to www.run.org.

Well done to all those AVOHK members that competed as part of the Hong Kong Team in the Toronto Masters Athletics Virtual competition. There is a write-up on this event by Bill Purves in this month’s newsletter. There are also a collection of other wonderful articles, including one on the first sub-3:50 mile in 1975 by Sir John Walker. Please take time to read.

Wishing all AVOHK members and their families continued good health and fitness as we all do our bit to fight the Covid-19 virus and try and live a normal a life as possible.

There will be no social run in September but we are hoping to resume in October if Covid-19 conditions continue to improve and restrictions are relaxed.

Yours in Running

Colin Whittington
Chairman

Dear AVOHK Members

July has not been a great month for good news. We need some good news.

This month saw the passing of Club member John McKinven. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Josephine his wife and Elisha their 7-year-old daughter. Thank you to all the Club members for the wonderful response for donations to the Nesbitt Centre to assist with the future education of Elisha. For those members that would still like to donate, the details are in this month’s newsletter. Please give what you can afford. John’s funeral will be held on Sunday, 9th August. A viewing at Hung Hom followed by a cremation service at Cape Collison. AVOHK will be represented. Due to COVID-19, numbers to attend will be extremely restricted and at this time it is looking unlikely a wake can be held. For any further details, do not hesitate to contact me: chair@avohk.org.

A few weeks ago, the Committee decided, due to the impact of COVID-19, it would not be possible to hold the 2020 AVOHK Comprador 5K Series. This is not only a big disappointment for AVOHK but also the Hong Kong running community who supported this very popular series. A big thank you to our sponsor Comprador who understands the reasons for cancelling and to Freeman Lee the Race Director. Subject to all restrictions being lifted, AVOHK will be back with the 5K Series in 2021.

This month’s newsletter is a very interesting read with articles on a new Athletic Association, “Heard at the Track” has a good selection of snippets of global athletic information. Articles also on the Toronto virtual meet, 26.2m Bear Crawl, power of sleep and running twins with severe autism.

Good luck to those AVOHK athletes competing in virtual events. Please do let us know how you get on and maybe write a few words on your experience for the newsletter.

On the admin front, AVOHK has renewed the lease on our Godown at Wong Chuk Hang for a further 3 years and the landlord has given the Godown a fresh lick of paint.

Not surprisingly there will be no social run in August.

The current situation is tough on us all, but I am sure if we comply with the COVID-19 restrictions we can get through this together. There will be better days ahead.

To all members and their families, Stay safe and stay healthy.

Yours in Running

Colin Whittington
Chairman

Dear AVOHK Members

Thank you to those members that attended the 2020 AVOHK AGM held at Café 8 on Wednesday, 24 June 2020. Thank you also to those that submitted proxy votes and to those that sent in their apologies. The committee from the previous year enjoyed themselves so much that we all stood for re-election and were duly voted in. Myself as Chairman and Phil Booth as Vice Chairman will be standing down in 12 months’ time as we will have both served the maximum 5 years allowed in the AVOHK constitution. Any volunteers willing to be AVOHK Chair or Vice Chair please let me know at chairman@avohk.org. The latest AVOHK Committee is posted on the AVOHK website: https://www.avohk.org/about-us/avohk-committee/.

At the AGM, I thanked the committee for their support and service to the Club over the last 12 months. I also made a special thank you to those members of AVOHK who are not on the committee but contribute a lot to the Club. Like Vicent Ang who does an outstanding job of compiling the monthly newsletter and is always on hand with his registration and medals team at our races. A special mention to Bill Purves aka The Railbird “Heard at the Track” for providing valuable content for the newsletter and his unrelenting efforts in getting Hong Kong masters teams to international events.

The Treasurer Peter Wong reported that the Club finances are in a strong position and the Membership Secretary Frank Riehm also reported that Membership is in good shape with 130 new members joining during the year and with current membership of 630. I thanked Gammon for sponsoring the 2020 Gammon China Coast Marathon and Comprador for sponsoring the 2019 AVOHK Comprador 5K series.

At the AGM, I announced the very worthy winners of the 2019/20 AVOHK Athlete of the Year and presented them with their respective awards. The Male Winner was Ken Greer and their joint Female Winners were Janine Canham and Virginie Goethals. Further details with pictures in the newsletter.

After a sumptuous buffet we were enthralled by Janine Canham who gave a wonderful talk on her experience in taking part in the 2020 World Marathon Challenge. Seven marathons in 7 days on 7 different continents and raising substantial funds for the RUN refugee charity that support refugees in our Hong Kong community. Thank you, Janine, an amazing effort and a great way to end the evening. Hats off to Melody and the Café 8 Staff who looked after us so well and made sure we had plenty to eat and drink.

There is a provisional date of Saturday, 15 August, to kick off the 2020 AVOHK Comprador 5K Series. Realistically, due to the current Covid-19 restrictions (max group size of 50) this is looking less likely to happen. Although we are hopeful at some point restrictions might be further relaxed. Online registration will only be launched once the government Covid-19 restrictions allow us and it is safe to hold the series. Further updates to all members as they happen.

Rod Dixon, one of our AVOHK Honorary Life Members, turns 70 on 13 July 2020. All at AVOHK wish Rod a Happy Birthday and many more to come. Rod, as many of you know, won a bronze medal at the 1,500m in the 1972 Olympics at the age of 22 and won the 1973 New York City marathon in dramatic style amongst his many achievements. Rod is a great ambassador for our sport and for New Zealand. In celebration of turning 70, Rod is raising funds for his Rod Dixon Kids Marathon foundation. Further details can be found here: https://www.kidsmarathonfoundation.org/donate/.

In this month’s newsletter there is an announcement about the 2020 Worldwide Virtual Masters Challenge. Deadline to register is 15 July 2020. Articles on World Athletic finances, safe to swim during Covid-19?, effects of high mileage and is it now safe to run in groups? Some very interesting articles and information. Please do take time to read.

The AVOHK monthly Social Run, will take place at 7pm on Wednesday, 8 July 2020. Meet by HSBC ATM at Hopewell Centre in Wan Chai. For further details, contact Frank Riehm. Note: They often go for a beer afterwards.

Yours in Running

Colin Whittington
Chairman

Dear AVOHK Members

Since the last newsletter, some of the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted and running tracks and some swimming pools have re-opened. This is good news, especially for the coaches who provide such a valuable service and who need to get back to earning a living. Good news at the pool, Johnny Cheng (AVOHK swimming coordinator) has informed me that the AVOHK swimming group will be back in the Wan Chai Pool from Mon 1st June 2020.

The 2020 AVOHK Annual General Meeting has been rescheduled to 7pm, Wednesday, 24th June, at Café 8. As per my recent email, this rescheduling was done in the hope that further COVID-19 restrictions would be lifted so that we can enjoy a post-AGM drink and some food in a very social setting. Current restrictions for AGM’s limit size up to 50 people. Food and drink not permitted. Further updates on the AGM in due course.

Planning is underway for the 2020 AVOHK Comprador 5K Series. Race Director Freeman Lee will be supported by the AVOHK Committee and other Club volunteers to ensure the series is a success. The following dates and venues have been confirmed (subject to the necessary COVID-19 restrictions being lifted). We are hoping to launch online entry by early-July at the latest:

Race 1 – Wan Chai Gap – 8am Sat 15th Aug 2020
Race 2 – Tai Tam Tuk – 8am Sat 29th Aug 2020
Race 3 – Bowen Road – 8am Sat 12th Sep 2020
Race 4 – South Bay – 8am Sat 19th Sep 2020 

Planning has also started for the 2020 AVOHK Round-The-Island “Time Trial” which will be held on Sunday, 11th October 2020. We are working closely with the AFCD to ensure we can secure the best route possible. Watch this space. The committee have also recently started discussions around suitable race dates for the 2020/21 AVOHK Reservoir Series and hope to have a further update in June’s newsletter. When further COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, we do hope to have some news on the date of the 2020 Malcolm Phillips 5K Race.

AVOHK giving back. In recent years AVOHK have welcomed the refugees from the RUN (Rebuild, Unite, Nurture) group to our races and provided RUN with complimentary entries. The MD of RUN is Virginie Goethals, an AVOHK Club member. Catherine Leonard recently updated the AVOHK committee of the considerable transport costs in getting the RUN group to our races. In these very tough times, the AVOHK Committee proposed and approved a donation of HKD5,000 to RUN as a contribution towards their transport costs in getting the RUN group to our AVOHK-organized races in the coming 2020/21 season. I have received a very big thank you from Virginie who really appreciates AVOHK’s generosity and continuous support to RUN. On a personal note, it has been very encouraging to see some of the runners from the RUN group progress from novice runners a few years ago to now where they are challenging for podium places.

In this month’s newsletter, there is again some good reading, including an article by Bill Purves on redesigning athletics, plus the usual from “The Railbird” in Heard at the Track (even though they have only recently reopened). If you do happen to have some athletic related stories for the newsletter, please do forward them on with photo’s if possible.

I can announce the return of the AVOHK monthly Social Run, which will resume at 7pm on Wednesday, 3rd June 2020 (Max Group Size 8). Meet by HSBC ATM at Hopewell Centre in Wan Chai. For further details, contact Frank Riehm.

Yours in Running

Colin Whittington
Chairman