“ 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!”
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