“ Regardless of how many times I have run a race , each one has always been different . The Two Oceans is probably the one with the greatest variation in weather , but I remember one perfect day we got to the top of Chapmans Peak and looked across to Hout Bay , just as the sun started to caress the hilltops . The sea was like a mirror , and the early morning lights were reflected in the still water of the bay . What a moment !”
OLD MAN RUNNER
Dick became Club Captain at RAC in 1977 , was then elected Club Chairman in 1978 , and has remained in that position ever since . Added to that , he served on the provincial athletics body ( initially Transvaal , later Central Gauteng ) for some 21 years as the road running representative , was Chairman of the Transvaal Road Running Association ( TRRA ) and also served on the committee of the South African Road Running Association ( SARRA ). Having been involved in the sport for so many years , he is eminently qualified to say that South Africa has undeniably the best road running circuit in the world . “ There is a road race every weekend in many provinces in the country , and in most cases the standard of organisation is pretty good . Generally , community clubs organise these events , and it is a matter of pride for a club to present a good race .”
He can also look back on numerous memorable moments in running , one of which was at the end of the Athens Marathon . “ I had collected a group of half a dozen , some of whom had never run a marathon and needed cajoling to carry on to the finish . We entered the dazzling Pantheon Stadium to a cheering crowd , crossed the finish line , and a young lady from
North Carolina , who I had nurtured for some 21km or so , asked , ‘ Can I cry now ?’ I love that road running is a great leveller , and provides a common purpose that brings people together , regardless of differences .”
He also marvels at the fact that age is not a limiting factor in running . “ My best 10km was 35:25 , and I did 58 minutes for 15km and 78 minutes for the half marathon , all recorded when I was over 40 . There are some compensations as you slow down with age , but as a 65-plus and 70-plus competitor I represented South Africa at the Duathlon World Championships in Australia and Hungary , and it was a lesson to see how many geriatrics in the world are still competitive !”
23