Marathon man practises what he preaches at 84

Les Marsh aims to carve half an hour off last year's time. Picture / Alan Gibson

Les Marsh decided to do his first marathon later than most - at age 81. Now 84, the sprightly Katikati man is gearing up for his third Rotorua Marathon on Saturday.

He and son John had a simple reason for entering the event in 2003.

"We decided we'd like to do a marathon before we died," said Mr Marsh.

A committed Christian, he took the opportunity to raise money for charity.

"I thought I'm not going to trot around there for nothing."

Last year, his second marathon, he raised $4000, giving the money to the Child Cancer Society, the Starship Foundation and the Bible Society. This year, he has already collected $1000 for the Bible Society and has pledges to collect for the Child Cancer Society when the race is over.

Mr Marsh hopes to change a perception that Christians don't practise what they preach.

As it turns out, his life has been a catalogue of good deeds. He became an Army medic in World War II, serving in Egypt, Italy and Papua New Guinea.

In 1974, he returned to Papua New Guinea as a missionary after spending a year travelling the world and seeing the work of other missionaries.

He and wife Hazel spent 13 years in the country. He helped to rebuild airstrips and she taught women to read, write and sew.

Mr Marsh, who celebrates his 60th wedding anniversary next year, said the rewards were personal rather than financial.

"You get paid in the sense that the people up there appreciate so much what you're doing for them."

While in Papua New Guinea he wrote 15 commentaries explaining New Testament teachings in Pidgin.

The grandfather of nine and great-grandfather of five is revising the works, in between tending Katikati's public gardens.

He has received numerous awards for volunteer and community work, including a Queen's Service Medal.

Mr Marsh has also worked hard for this weekend's marathon, covering 35km in five hours on a recent Saturday.

"I run until I get out of wind and then I walk."

He finished his first marathon in 7h 50m 50s, reducing his time to 6h 45m 18s last year. "I'd like to knock another half-hour off it [this year]."

His biggest obstacle is pain from a hip replacement operation 10 years ago that tends to flare up 20km or 30km into the 42km race. "Then you have to take an aspirin and box on."

Mrs Marsh, who worries a little about her husband doing the race, plans to follow in a support car.

Mr Marsh will wear a pair of Asics running shoes he won in the 2003 marathon.

He estimates the worn trainers have carried him more than 1000km.

In 2003, when he was winner and sole entrant of the men's 80+ category, he wore $20 shoes from The Warehouse.

The Rotorua Marathon, which is in its 41st year and sponsored by the Lion Foundation, usually attracts about 2500 runners.

Big turnout

* There are 1774 entries for the marathon and more than 800 for the 5km and 10km fun runs.
* Only two people have entered in the over 80s category.
* Olympic marathon runner Dale Warrander won the marathon last year in a time of 2h 23m 40s. He is favourite again this year.