Despite this, nearly 2,200 competitors assembled at Pak Tam Chung, Sai Kung, and they were rewarded when, as start time approached, the rain and wind ceased. Registration for the 12 km race through the Sai Kung East Country Park was completed and, with 15 minutes to go, the road was temporarily closed as Police Tactical Unit (PTU) marshals ushered the competitors to the start line- where some 50 seeded runners took precedence.

There was a momentary hush as Chairman of the Police Sports Council, Mr Mike Dowie, took his place beside the start line and at 10 am, as the press cameras clicked, he gave a blast of the hooter, sending the cheering competitors off on the 50th anniversary race.

The race favourites were: Sergeant Mr Wong Wing-kuen (winner in 1997 and 1998); Acting Sergeant Mr Ching Ying-wai (winner in 1999 and 2001); and Senior Inspector Mr Andy Naylor (winner in 2000 and 2002).

This same trio were in the lead from the start, Ching Ying-wai was in the lead across the dam with Andy Naylor a few paces behind him and Wong Wing-kuen a close third. At the 6km turn-around point they were in the same positions, though Wong Wing-keung was beginning to trail behind.

On the return leg, down the winding, narrow road back to the dam, Andy Naylor caught up with Ching Ying-wai as they raced round the bends, half-fearful that there would be a slower runner coming up the hill on the wrong side of the road.

In the last 3 km; over the cattle grid and into the home stretch; it was Andy Naylor who found an extra turn of speed to overtake Ching Ying-wai and, in the last up-hill stretch, powered his way to the finishing line in a record time of 41'04", beating Ching Ying-wai by some 12 seconds and breaking the former Men's Open record of 41'05" set in 1998 by third-placed Wong Wing-kuen.

A little further back in the field Sergeant Chow Chi-keung in the Men's Senior category (36+ years), Malcolm Phillips (50+ years) in the Former Police Officer category and Andy Gidley (40+ years) in the Men's Veteran I category were battling it out, all three eventually crossing the finishing line within one minute of each other to claim the winning trophies in their respective race categories.

But it was the evergreen Dowman runner, Border District Police Cook Mr Ho Kam-fuk, who once again showed a clean pair heels to his rivals, winning the Men's Veteran II trophy (45 to 50 years) comfortably in 46'50". In the "Old Man's" category - the Veteran IIIs (50+ years) Station Sergeant Mr Leung Wai-hung had a very good run, taking the winning trophy with a time of 49'47".

The first lady across the line was Police Athletics Club (PAC) associate member Ms Wyan Chow Pui-yan, in 51'43", just over a minute ahead of regular 'Dowman' runner, Police Training School Clerical Assistant Ms Flora Lee Yin-ping, in the Women's Senior category. The first Women's Open category runner was Woman Senior Inspector Ms Tsang Chiu-tong in a time of 57'20".

The Commissioner, Mr Tsang Yam-pui, was at the finishing line to cheer the winners in, alongside most of the Senior Directorate Group (SDG). The Silver Band of the HKP played as the tired runners were moved along the finishing funnels by PTU marshals, being 'bar-coded' as they went. Three officers required the expert attention of the Auxiliary Medical Service ambulance crew who were on hand at the finishing line, but all came through their ordeal in 'satisfactory condition', as the saying goes.

Meanwhile, the computer team, tabulating the results, were working as hard as their lap-top equipment would allow, but it was not until 12.30pm that the trophy presentation got underway with PAC MC, Ms Rocka Cheng, announcing the winners.

Mr Tsang Yam-pui praised the runners and their tolerant and supportive families for their efforts to live a healthy lifestyle. "This is the 50th Anniversary of the very first Dowman Road Race which had 125 runners at the start line," said Mr Tsang. "This year we have around 2,200 runners and that is a sure indication that the Force has never been fitter or better motivated."

Members of the SDG, together with Mrs Bonnie Smith, ACP, for the ladies, then took their turn to present a record number of trophies, with the Commissioner finally presenting the Thorpe Trophy to Andy Naylor; the Men's Open winner; and the coveted Dowman Trophy - for the fast team in the Specialist/Training Units category - to PTU HQ. Criminal Records Bureau won the Award for the fastest Minor/Other Units Men's Team category and the Police Training School won the Award in the Minor/Other Units Ladies Team category.

As a "Grande Finale" PAC Chairman, SSP Mr Stuart McDouall, who organised the Anniversary Race (and came third in the "Old Man's" category) presented the Commissioner with the No.1 Runner Race Bib, suitably framed.

Official Results

Dowman Trophy (Specialist & Training Units), PTU; Men's Minor Units Team Award, CRB; Ladies Minor Units Team Award, PTS; Thorpe Trophy (Men's Open), SIP Andy Naylor (KW EU) in 41' 04" [New Record]; Mak Tuen Lei Trophy (Men's Senior), Sgt Chow Chi-keung in 44'14"; Watson Cup (Men's Veteran I), Andy Gidley in 44'40"; Ley Bowl (Men's Veteran II), Police Cook Ho Kam-Fook (BorDist) in 46'50"; Lomas Cup (Men's Veteran III), SSgt Leung Wai-hung in 49'47"; Wong Leung Kam-shan Cup (Women's Open), WSIP Tsang Chiu-tong in 57'20"; Associate Women's Open, Wyan Chow Pui-yan (PAC Associate Member) in 51'43"; Hamilton Trophy (Women's Senior), CA Flora Lee Yin-ping (PTS) in 52'52"; and Phillips Shield (Former Male Officer), Malcolm Phillips in 45'29".