At 3pm on that day, 125 harriers lined up in Middle Road under the starter Sub-Inspector Goodman. It was disappointing that there was not a single entry from Kowloon City and Sham Shui Po divisions or from the New Territories divisions.

Word of mouth reports which surfaced over the ensuing years suggest that Danny Dowman was particularly disappointed at the lack of runners from the New Territories because his intention had been to commemorate a run for help from Sha Tau Kok Police Station to Fanling Depot in 1950 or 1951 by an unidentified officer.

All were off to a good start and the first man in front was PC 2474 (Police Training School) who was running as if in a 220 yard dash. This man led the way up Chatham Road to the junction with Gasgoigne Road at a cracking pace. He was closely followed by PC3887 (Western), PC 974 (Eastern) and PC 3617 (Marine). Along Ma Tau Wei Road PC 2474 began to drop back and, by Hung Hom Police Station, he was in 7th place and the lead had been taken over by PC 3887 (Western) with PC 974 (Eastern) close on his heels.

PC 3887 (W) was running strongly and continued to lead all the way along Ma Tau Wei Road and into Tin Kwong Road. PC 4166 (Central) then began to make his challenge and at Mission Road had closed from 15th to 2nd position and was pressing PC 3887 (W) hard. Behind PC 4166 (C) were PC 4268 (PTS), Sub-Inspector Betts (PTS), PC 974 (E), PC 2506 (PTS), PC 4775 (PTS), PC 3642 (PTS), PC 3617 (M) and PC 3826 (E). It was in that order they ran into Argyle Street. It was then apparent that PC 3887 (W) had shot his bolt and before entering Stirling Road he was passed by PC 4116 (C) and dropped out of the race.

It was at this point that the superior training and stamina of the PTS runners began to tell, SI Betts had worked himself into 2nd position and behind him were a solid bunch of PTS men all within striking distance of the leader.

Soon after this, a number of runners at the tail-end of the field tried to pull a fast one by short-cutting into Forfar Road instead of continuing along Argyle Street to Stirling Road. There was a checker in Stirling Road and only those who checked past this point were eligible for prizes.

PC 4116 (C) was still going strong and, with a mile to go, began to increase his lead over SI Betts (PTS). A second PTS runner, (PC2506), had crept up to third place. It was in that order, and with the leader 200 yards in front, that the runners entered Boundary Street. Inside the Sports Ground hundreds of squatters were gathered and they cheered home the winner, PC 4116 (C), as he crossed the line in the very fast time of 26 minutes and 16 seconds.

SI Betts finished a strong second in 27 minutes and 4 seconds - a fine effort. PTS runners finished in 3rd, 4th and 5th places (PCs 2506, 4268 and 4775). These men comprised the PTS winning team. Eighty competitors finished the official course and were congratulated on their fine efforts.

Immediately following the race, tea was served to all in the Club House. For many, that was the best part of the afternoon. After tea, CI Danny Dowman presented prizes to the first three individuals home and a Dowman Trophy to the winning PTS Team Captain, SI Betts.

It is not generally realised that the first Dowman Trophy was a one-off award to the winner. There was no run in 1953, but it was re-introduced as an annual event in 1954 and Danny Dowman, already on pre-retirement leave, donated the current Dowman Trophy.

Results: (1) PC 4116 Lo Kwong-chung (C); (2) SI Betts (PTS); (3) PC 2506 (PTS); (4) PC 4268 (PTS); (5) PC 4775 (PTS); (6) PC 4356 (PTS); (7) PC 4367 (PTS); (8) PC 4340 (PTS); (9) PC 3617 (M); and, (10) PC 260 (PTS).