Big turnout in cross country race
The race was a 7.5-km course looping round green fairways, along a dusty horse-riding trail and through overgrown bush.
Owing to the race's increasing popularity, a new category, Veterans II (for 47 and over) was added, giving the "old men" a chance for a trophy.
After the race briefing, S/PTI PTU, Steve Ng Kai-kwong, started the runners off at the first tee and, within minutes, SIP Andy Naylor of EU/K and A/Sgt Ching Ying-wai of PTU were vying for the lead. Hot on their heels were "old favourites" A/S/Sgt Leung Yat of PTU, who went on to win the Men's Senior category in 21'36", and SPC Ko Fuk-ming of CDIST, who went on to win the Men's Veteran I category in 21'44".
In the finishing straight, Naylor and Ching had increased their lead over the pack by nearly two minutes, an incredible feat of athletics, especially for Andy Naylor who had completed the grueling 100-km MacLehose Trail Walker just the day before!
At the end, it was Ching who finally pulled away in a burst for the line, crossing in 19'51", nine seconds shy of Naylor's record set in 2000.
Between 21'30" and 21'44" six competitors sprinted in, providing a thrilling spectacle. Newcomer PC Kwok Tze-kin of KC was the victor, taking 3rd place in the Men's Open, followed by Leung Yat and PC Chan Man-for of PTU.
The winner and new record holder of the Veteran II category was evergreen runner S/Sgt Lo Wai-keung of Support, finishing in 22'13", ahead of 25 fellow veterans. For the ladies, it was WIP Cheung Leung-yuk of KC who beat a 20-strong field in their shorter, five-km, course.
In the final count, it was the PTU "machine" that, once again, lifted the "Specialist & Training Units" Team Trophy, whilst KCDIST pulled off a surprise win in the "Other Formations" Team event, much to the delight of DVC KC Mr Mak Kwai-shing who proudly presented his team with their trophy.
