My main recreational activity over the years has been running.  For many years, I limited my distance to 5 to 8 km courses but turned to long distance events in my late 40’s.  This culminated in 7 marathons and ultra marathons plus multiple half marathons during my 50’s and 60’s.  To date the marathon count includes 3 Gold Coast marathons (in 2002, 2004, 2006), Great Ocean Road marathon in 2006, Comrades marathon in South Africa in 2007, Six Foot Track marathon in 2008 and the Paris marathon in 2009.

The pinnacle of my running career was the famous Comrades Marathon in 2007 which mostly follows the old road between Pietermaritzburg and Durban in South Africa over a distance of 89.3km.  It was first run in the 1920’s by some WW1 war veterans who wished to commemorate their fallen comrades.  I completed the course in 10 hours and 56 minutes to earn a bronze medal along with my two old Rhodes University friends Chris and Rich who also gained bronze medals.

Marathoners in Rich’s pub – a dry night before..!

Comrades just prior to start at 0530

Rich and Chris at 20km mark

At the finish with our bronze medals

Celebration lunch at the Durban Yacht Club on day after Comrades