Officers fit to drop after gruelling fun run to High Island
A TRADITIONAL fun run saluting the fitness and courage of the police ended with officers in hospital yesterday.
The 12-kilometre Dowman Road Race through the Sai Kung Country Park drew record numbers - but several runners failed to finish the course and two were rushed to hospital with dehydration.
One man was put on a drip while another underwent a medical check, but both were later released.
Police said it was unfair to assume the race highlighted lax fitness levels in the force, describing the steep course to the High Island reservoir and back as 'not an easy run'.
'Just because they didn't finish doesn't mean they're not fit for police work,' said spokesman Brett Free.
Airport security unit constable Wong Wing-kuen, 26, won with a time of 41 minutes, 40 seconds. The race attracted a record 986 runners including 200 women.
Mr Free put the record turnout down to last year's emphasis on the need for officers to lead a healthy lifestyle. Also, anyone completing the course within a set time was exempted from the 2.4-kilometre police fitness test.
The event began in 1952. Force legend says the run commemorates an unknown officer who ran to warn of the impending Japanese invasion of Hong Kong in December 1941.
