(Images supplied by Gail)
“I loved athletics at school and learned to hurdle and high jump. Back then young ladies were not allowed to run more than 200 yards!
I took up running again when our son was young and we all ran together in a Southland harrier club. Later when our daughter came along we had New Zealand’s first running buggy, specially made for us by an engineering friend. Our kids, now in their 30s and 40s, still run. They were brought up thinking that is just what people do on the weekends! These days we are often joined by our two young grandsons.
I was introduced to Master athletics in my late 40s and I have been doing it ever since. I have been lucky enough to represent New Zealand many times in many parts of the world over the past 25 years. My favourite events are the 200, 400 and 800 metres, high jump, hurdles and heptathlon, but to be honest, my favourite type of running is on the beautiful mountain and bush trails of Fiordland.
At age 72, both Gary and I feel very lucky to still be enjoying running at our age. We love being out in the great outdoors with like minded family and friends and really value how good it is for our physical fitness and mental wellbeing.
My best advice for other runners would be to avoid concrete and find soft surfaces to run on… like grass or bush tracks. I believe this is why Gary and I never get running injuries.”
Gail Kirkman
(Te Anau)
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Portraits of Runners + their stories
@RunnersNZ
