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Running a 50km ultra marathon is a big challenge for anyone – particularly if, like Greg Shaw of Ōrewa, you are 67 years old and your training is hampered by an ongoing chest infection.
The consultant engineer is one of 30 people who have so far signed up to take part in the one-off 50km course of this year’s Coastal Challenge in February.
Total Sport has run the event on courses around the coastline of the Hibiscus Coast and North Shore since 2003, raising more than $225,000 for hospice.
Total Sport’s Mark Fordham says the number 50 is the theme for next year’s 20th anniversary event – he is hoping $50,000 can be raised for hospice from the 50km ultra marathon.
The ultra marathon starts in Waiwera and follows the coast to Manly, then across the peninsula to Arkles Bay. There the runners join the 33km Full Monty course from Arkles to Devonport.
Greg says he came relatively late to running, but he does nothing by halves and has taken on some of the big ones – the Speights Coast to Coast, Taupo Marathon, Auckland Marathon and the Tarawera Trail Marathon. It’s five years since he last ran in the Coastal Challenge (33km course), finishing 8th overall.
It’s clear that he particularly likes off road and coastal running.
“You have to think about every step you take because of what’s underfoot – seaweed, sharp rocks, oyster shells,” Greg says. “You can be up to your waist in water, or on energy-sapping soft sand. All that takes your mind off the physical effort. And the scenery is quite fantastic because often you are the only person on that stretch of coastline.”
He expects to be the oldest doing the 50km, and says training has been hard as he’s coming from “a zero fitness base” due to chest and sinus infections.
“I’m sticking to my training schedule, but my lungs are crap and I’m unfit. But I figure if I set a goal, then I’ll dig deep to achieve it. I’m a tough old bastard!”
To help Greg raise funds for hospice, visit https://50k-for-hospice.raisely.com/gregory-thomas-shaw
