Force runners come up trumps in Macao
On March 30, at the invitation of the Taipa-Macao Distance Runners, representatives from the Police Athletics Club (PAC) took part in the 4th CESL Asia Coloane Half-Marathon (& 10 Km Charity Race) on Coloane, Macao. The Half-Marathon race was run over a most challenging up-hill and down-dale course over roads, shrubby trails, beaches and staircases.
In the Half-Marathon Men's Open category, the Force's top-notch marathoner, Acting Sergeant Mr Ching Ying-wai, competed head-to-head with Macao's number-one, Mr Kun Sio-pan. At different times one or the other was slightly in the lead but being hard-pressed by the other, Mr Ching finally won the battle, finishing in a tape-breaking time of 1:17'18", more than seven minutes faster than the old record set by Mr Roberto De Vido in 2001. The third runner passing the finish line was another of the Force's elite runners, Police Constable Mr Lai Hok-yan, who successfully shook off a number of challengers in the early stages of the race. He finished in 1:19'23", five minutes faster than the course record.
In the Half-Marathon Women's Open category, the winning title went to a two-time winner in the Dowman Road Race, Senior Inspector Ms Tsang Chiu-tong, in a time of 1:50'05". Ms Tsang had actually signed in as an individual rather than a PAC team member.
In the Women's Senior 1 category, Senior Inspector Ms Kap Fan finished second to Ms Sheila Purves, one of the best runners in the region, with a time of 1:53'50". Despite the tough course, Ms Kap's time was only about one minute slower than the Standard Chartered Half-Marathon record. Her outstanding performance can be attributed to the spiritual boost she got from a medal she won at this year's Dowman Road Race.
CESL Asia is the title sponsor and a Macao based company which helps raise money for donation to charities by, inter alia, organising this annual event. This year, a record 100,000 Macao patacas was raised for donation to Children's Charities of Macao.
This was the first time that the PAC sent a representative team to Macao for this prestigious annual event. With victories in both the men's and women's categories, our elite athletes have brought honour to themselves and to the Force. Their remarkable achievement will surely encourage more members to take part in next year's race, increasing the chances of building on this year's successes. 
Jubilant members of the PAC celebrate their wins at Macao