YIP Lun-ming, still running strong at 71 years old, is one of Hong Kong's main medal hopes in the World Veterans Athletics Championships, being held in Miyazaki City, Japan. He is part of a 25-strong team who flew out yesterday for the nine-day championships. They begin tomorrow. Despite his age, Yip is taking part in five events, including the marathon. Other medal contenders include former British international marathon runner Gillian Castka. She has competed in 49 marathons, with a personal best of two hours 32 minutes, but in Japan she sets her sights on the cross-country, 5,000 metres and steeplechase events. Sheila Purves, Hong Kong AAA record holder at 1,500 metres, 5,000 metres and cross-country, together with husband Bill, Hong Kong's race-walking record holder at both 20 km and 30 km, should also be challenging for places on the winners' rostrum. Other husband-and-wife teams competing include Tony and Cory Caplan, and Joan and Col Stubbings. It will be the fifth time the Stubbings have competed in the these championships, which are held every two years.
