Marathon: Old Father Time can't keep up with long distance legends

Garth Barfoot keeps running for the sheer satisfaction of achieving what seems impossible. Photo / Dean Purcell

If you live by the saying "the older I get, the better I am" then it's time for you to meet two extraordinary gentlemen.

Age is no barrier to the running careers of Garth Barfoot, 75, and Robert Wynn, 73, who will attempt to complete the marathon and half marathon, respectively, of the North Shore Marathon next weekend.

Barfoot (of Barfoot and Thompson) started running when he did Round the Bays at the age of 50. In the 25 years since, he has done "plenty of marathon distance runs but most of them these days are not pure marathons".

This year, he has run three such events, an off-road marathon on Motutapu Island (7h 5m), the marathon at the end of the Australian Ironman (7h 10m) and the marathon at the end of the Brazil Ironman (7h 15m). He has three more planned in the next three months, Ironman Wales, Challenge Henley on the Thames and the World Ironman Championship in Kona, Hawaii.

No time was recorded for the last marathon he competed in Whangarei, as he failed to finish. "I tripped while crossing a wooden bridge and did a face-plant forceful enough for me to be taken to the blood bin.

"Perhaps that shows two of the non-glories of old age; a tendency to trip over and a tendency to bleed easily. But there was an upside. My real estate colleagues got a buzz on Monday when their boss, who they all think is very law-abiding, came into work sporting a very spectacular black eye.

"My last recorded marathon time, Rotorua 2008, was just under five-and-a-half hours, about two hours slower than my best time achieved when I was 15 years younger."

Wynn, who was sixth at the World Masters Games 10km Road Race in 2009, has run 21 marathons and more than 100 half marathons.

"I have been competing in competitive running for 30 years," said Wynn, who aims to finish next week's half marathon in two hours.

They know each other but are not friends with Barfoot saying: "I know the back of Robert Wynn better than I know his front - he always beats me, but the margins are closing." They are comfortably the oldest athletes in the field for the North Shore Marathon.

Race organiser Dion Jelley, 30, said: "Running a marathon at 75 is amazing.

"The extraordinary thing is that Garth has probably already done a couple of Ironman races and other marathons already this year, all the while still working," he said. "Robert's goal of running under two hours is the same goal of many people half his age. But I have no doubt that he will easily do this time as he has done all the RUN Auckland Series 10km events this year in under one hour.

"These guys are a huge inspiration to others. They always get the biggest cheer at the finish line and they set the standard for what is possible. Many people get into events after having watched the inspirational efforts of people like Garth and Robert."

They are both excited about the North Shore Marathon.

"I am so glad that Auckland has attracted another marathon," said Barfoot, who has lived on the Shore for 40 years and Wynn: "Because, frankly, the cost of entering races is getting too expensive."

They love the solitary pursuit of running. Wynn said: "It is the sense of personal achievement.

"The bottom line is health and fitness."

Barfoot said: "I remember driving down to Rotorua for my first marathon and seeing a sign in the middle of the Hauraki Plains saying: Matamata 40km.

"It seemed ages to cover that distance by car, so imagine my satisfaction at completing that distance on foot the following day. It is that same satisfaction that keeps me going, otherwise I would have given marathon running away once Old Father Time found out about me and put me in my place." Barfoot and Wynn run with the support of their families, who are conditioned to their dedication to beating the pavement.

"They seem pleased that I do it. It's not a big discussion point," said Wynn. Barfoot said: "My wife, who beat me in that Round the Bays run 25 years ago and, five years ago, became a world triathlon champion, is very envious of my trouble-free (touch wood) joint."

Q & A
Garth Barfoot and Robert Wynn offer some advice for people struggling to get fit.

GB: The main thing is you must want to do it. There is no future in being out in the open on your feet but thinking all the time that you would rather be somewhere else. But you are allowed to think about rewards, like looking forward to tucking into your dinner when you go for a long run after work.

RW: Concentrate on self-discipline and stay fit to maintain health, including fitness. Pay close attention to diet including what you eat - not only the quantity. Also physical flexibility needs something like yoga or Pilates and muscle strength and toning such as gym work.

What about people struggling with pain in their joints?

GB: I think I am the only male in my running club [the Calliope Club of Birkenhead] over the age of 50 who is free of such problems, probably because I do not go fast enough to wear them out. Fortunately there are other options, walking and cycling, for folk to do until problems ease.

RW: Walk or do an activity that is not so demanding on your joints and try to maintain a brisk pace. Set yourself goals and little programmes to improve performance.

What do you think about one-third of Kiwi kids being obese?

GB: I can understand the reasons for children's obesity, there is so much tempting food available and I like food as much as anyone. If you do not have a love of exercise like me you have to have a lot of self-control when the food is placed in front of you, particularly these days when walking or biking to primary and secondary schools is no longer the norm.

RW: I find it absolutely disgusting. Improving New Zealand kids' health is beneficial not only to them but also will assist alleviating the clogged hospital system which is caused by ill health - it will benefit the whole nation. If they aren't interested in the nation they should look at themselves in the mirror then their own pride should motivate them.

Coming up
Tomorrow
Rogaine: 2011 Lactic Turkey Rogaine Series: Event 1, Riverhead Forest, Auckland

Running & tramping: Unitec run & walk events: Race two, Devonport, Auckland, run & walk 24km, 18km, 12km, 6km & kids' 2km

August 27
Running & tramping: Great Naseby water race. Central Otago. 50km solo, 80km solo, 100km solo, 60km two-person teams

August 28
Running & tramping: North Shore Marathon from Gould Reserve, Takapuna Beach. Event options: Marathon run, half marathon run/walk, 5km fun run/walk and 2km kids' run