Well Worth Having

A Great All-Rounder

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What is the biggest challenge in your role as President of SASCOC?


Ensuring that the structures in sport are well understood by all and that the right funding goes to the development of sport. We have many role players but we seem to be talking past each other and poor coordination impacts negatively on the development of sport in our country.


 


What is the most exciting thing about your work in sports administration?


Working hard towards achieving set goals and serving a great variety of people in sport.


 


Proudest moment in your career?


Being the manager of the aquatics team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games following years of isolation.


 


How did you get into running?


I have been running since primary school back in the late 1950s, and I still run to keep fit and to de-stress. I grew up in the Strand where there was a strong sports culture in the community, and our teachers were active in sport and encouraged us a lot. I went to high school in Somerset West and started running the 800m and 1500m, and I was quite happy with my performances, but I never really wanted to run. Keeping fit to play decent rugby was the objective. Also, a friend of mine, Solomon Briesies, represented Western Province schools and I think they flew to Durban and he could not stop talking about his amazing flight. He was an excellent runner and I thought, well, we stay in the same street, so why can’t I run and get onto an aeroplane one day?


 


How do you fit running into your busy schedule?


Easy, at least four times a week I find time to jog/walk about 7km on weekdays and spend time at the gym on a regular basis. I also build in a long walk or trot of 10-15km on Saturdays. When travelling I make it a point to get to a gym, and if safety is not a problem, I venture onto the road or find a park to jog in.


 


What do you love most about running?


Feeling free to think and enjoy my surroundings. I can plan and visualise what I want to do in the coming weeks whilst running early in the mornings. The air is fresh and your brain functions well at that time, but I gave up running with training partners a long time ago because I need to think, and somebody talking while we are running tends to distract me.


 


Has running influenced your career and work ethic?


It has indeed. If I think back to the friends I have made in the sport, then I can only thank my love for running for having built up such a huge network of friends. Running has also disciplined me tremendously over the years to work when I must work and not postpone things that can be done immediately.


 


Proudest moment in running?


Completing my first half marathon in the colours of Oxford Striders in East London. Personally, half marathons are my favourite, although I have always thought of tackling the Two Oceans or the Comrades.


 


What is the best advice you have been given with regards to running?


Your body is not a machine, so


listen to it all the time.


 


What would you say to


someone who says they don’t have the time to start running?


They probably also don’t have time to live. You make time for running and even jogging around the block is a start.


 


What are your future running goals?


To keep going, because I have reached the age of 60 and I’m still enjoying it.


 


What is your greatest ambition?


To pull myself together and take on the Two Oceans or the Comrades.


 


What inspires you?


Enjoying life to the fullest and serving humanity.

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