“I started running at around 2 years old and 70 years on, I’ve never really stopped.
I went to Timaru Boys High School where running is held in high regard because of the famous ex pupils, Olympic champion Jack Lovelock and Commonwealth Games champion Dick Taylor. It was there that I found I was quite good at running and because I had a bit of speed, I was selected to play on the wing for Marist Rugby club.
Moving to Southland for work in the 1970s I was lucky enough to run with Masters World Champion Derek Turnbull and he encouraged me to join a harrier club. There was a group of really good runners in the club in those days and it was quite competitive between us all. I’ve competed ever since – mainly in long distance events. I have done the Kepler Challenge many times and all but one of the Motatapu Marathons. Sometimes I will also take part in summer athletics for fun and to keep up a bit of speed.
Training is most often in the bush tracks of Fiordland with my wife Gail and a group of other running friends. It is a great way to stay fit and is very helpful during times of stress. No matter what the weather, we always feel better afterwards and we plan to keep running for as long as we can.”
Gary Kirkman
(Te Anau)
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Portraits of Runners + their stories
@RunnersNZ
