After 49 years, Marton's Francis Wilson has the same passion today for the Turakina Road Race as he did when he was 19.
The Wanganui Harrier Club's open handicap race will be held on next weekend in conjunction with the Turakina Caledonia Games.
This annual race involves a 27km circuitfinishing at the grounds where the games are held.
Wilson was one of the original starters back in 1964 and Digger Joyce, patron of Wanganui Harriers, said the veteran is as keen as ever. "He recently mentioned it's quite unusual for anyone to be still going that many years later. Also, there are not many events around these days that have lasted so long."
Joyce said the Rotorua and Feilding marathons are two other races that have similar lifespans and Wilson hopes to achieve the 50-year milestone with those as well within the next two years.
" ... though not competing every year, he has done 38 of the 49 races held to date.
"Of those he has achieved one first on handicap in 1970 and fastest time in 1975. Francis is also one of 38 members to date of the exclusive New Zealand 100-club."
To be noted in this selective group an individual has to have completed 100 marathons, and Wilson has done 120.
The race starts at the St George's Anglican Church carpark on January 25 and 8am is the start for the individual walkers and teams of 2-4 people. An hour later is the runners' start, again for individuals and 2-4 person teams. These staggered start times are with slowest away first and fastest leaving last.
