Force cross-country champs
The annual Force Cross Country Championships took place in the sunny morning on November 23, 2001. A record of 280 officers participated in the event vying for a total of 33 individual and four team trophies.
The seven-kilometre course for the Men's categories comprised mostly grassy fairways interspersed with a dusty horse-riding track, some woodland and a short metalled road. While the course was relatively level, it offered a diversity of ground coverage, testing the athletes' agility to the full. On this occasion, runners in the front had to be careful in passing the startled horses on the track.
Police Tactical Unit officers once again demonstrated their prowess on the track, winning the Men's Open, Men's Senior, Specialist Team and Ladies' Open categories.
In the Men's Open category, five of the six runners who first crossed the finishing line were PTU officers. Sergeant Wong Wing-kuen of PTU just managed to keep arch-rivals Police Constables Chan Man-for (Airport Security Unit) and Ching Ying-wai (PTU) at bay. SGT Wong's winning time of 20'03" was just short of the record.
In the Men's Senior category (over 35 years old), SGT Chau Chi-keung (PTU) romped home with a record of 20'42".
In the Men's Veteran category (over 40 years old), evergreen athlete Senior Police Constable Ko Fuk-ming of Central District sprinted to the finish with a record of 21'08". He finished seventh overall.
For the Ladies' Open race, which comprised a 4.5 km course, Woman Police Constable Ho kit-ying of PTU came in first with a creditable 15'33".
New Territories North Headquarters won the Other Formations Team category.
Assistant Commissioner Information Systems Peter Halliday presented prizes to the winners.
"Ready, go!"