A RUNNING club will put visitors through their paces at an upcoming community showcase.
Reading HK Runners (RHKR) will have a stall at this Saturday’s Reading Hongkonger Community Centre grand opening, which will present the very best of the culture to members of the public.
Visitors at the Reading Hongkongers CIC-organised event can try Asian-style food and drink, arts and crafts, DIY lantern making, as well as a fitness challenge organised by the running club. Guests of honour will include Mayor for Reading, Cllr Tony Page, and Reading West MP, Sir Alok Sharma.
RHKR founder Thomas Yeung said: “The purpose of the Community Centre event is to let people know what we are doing, share exciting stories and get encouraged about life in the UK.
“As Hong Kongers, we know that different people may feel lonely, it can be a challenge. Running can help people think positively and maintain good health while settling into life here.”
Group members will be on-hand to explain what sessions and runs people can join, and will also sport club shirts and bottles which are available for people to purchase.
RHKR meet over the weekend for group runs, often taking part in Parkruns on Saturdays. Runners have also taken part in weekday programmes, such as recent boxing fitness classes, and enter as a team for races such as the Reading Half Marathon.
The group also engage in social events, meeting up for Christmas parties, an April annual dinner and day trips. This year, they headed to Bath to explore the city, running to and from the most notable sights.
The origins of the club began from Thomas’ arrival to the UK three years ago. He was keen to meet people through running but initially found the process hard.
He explained: “It was during winter Covid times and so the streets were empty and cold. To be honest, it was a bit lonely and I just didn’t want to be like that. I was determined to meet people and make friends so I set up some group runs.
“At first, we had just 10 people joining. After the weather started to get better more people started to come and join us. Now we have around 50 people taking part in runs.
“Our aim is just to get people to enjoy themselves. You can do things online, but meeting face-to-face is a unique part of our group. It helps to build trust and to build friendships.”
One of the club’s goals is to ensure that newly-arrived Hong Kongers fully integrate into the Reading community and don’t just keep themselves to themselves.
“It’s never good to stay in a small community,” Thomas said. “Many Hong Kongers who have come to the UK have done so to start a new page in their lives. The best way to adapt is to know lots of different people.
“We enjoyed the diversity back in Hong Kong, and the UK is also a place of very mixed cultures. We want to be able to offer help to those who need it too.”
The Community Centre event will take place at The Wren School from 2.30pm-3.30pm.
For more information, visit: www.readinghongkongers.co.uk
