Henry Shield relay race
This year's Henry Shield Relay Race, following the same 3.7-kilometre cross-country circuit as previous years, around the Aberdeen Lower Reservoir in the Aberdeen Country Park, was run on October 16.
Police formations entered 64 teams, the largest number of teams in the 18-year history of the event. Of the 59 Men's teams, six comprised veteran runners (40 years plus).
In warm, sunny and very dry conditions, Commandant of the Police Tactical Unit (PTU) Ng Man-kim signalled commencement of the first leg of the relay race at 3 pm. The first teams to take the lead were PTU and rivals Airport Security Unit (ASU). First to the relay hand-over line for the second leg was PTU Headquarters Acting Sergeant Ching Ying-wai.
After the second leg it became clear that the dry, dusty conditions were slowing top runners by between 10 and 20 seconds a lap. As a result no team or individual records were set this year. However, this in no way detracted from the excitement of the race as team members shouted encouragement from the side-lines during each relay changeover.
And so, Senior Inspector Andy Naylor took off on the fourth, and last, leg for the PTU team while more than a third of the remaining teams were still engaged in the changeover to the third leg of the race!
Andy not only won the race for PTU but also ran the fastest leg of the day in 11 minutes 25 seconds. On average, each member of the PTU team clocked a very respectable 12-minute lap.
Director of Operations Ng Wai-kit officiated at the trophy presentation assisted by Hong Kong Island Regional Commander Yuen Ying-lam. This was followed by a resounding call of "three cheers" from all the athletes.
Henry Shield relay competitors give their all