Multisports: Secondary school teacher on a mission to run 100 half marathons

Steve McDonald calls himself a "lifestyle runner" but that isn't doing his record justice.

The 48-year-old secondary school PE teacher has run 90 half-marathons over the past 28 years.

He will line up in the Rotorua 3D Festival Half Marathon field next weekend as he attempts 91, and edges closer to his ultimate goal of 100 half-marathons.

Hitting the trails has prolonged his career and he can't wait to compete with the many other weekend warriors on Sunday.

"Trail running is much easier on the old body," said the Aucklander.

"These events have great scenery and adventure, awesome courses, organisation and people in general, and last but not least I love running with my wife, Julie. Couples who run together, stay together."

McDonald's obsession with running began at intermediate doing cross-country, and he progressed to road running, orienteering and track at secondary school.

He attended Lincoln and Otago Universities and in the past 12 years has completed six marathons (four Rotorua, Gold Coast and Melbourne), three NZ Ironmans, many off-road running events (Tussock Traverse, Abel Tasman Coastal classic) and his tally of 90 half-marathons around the country.

"I started halves at the age of 20, while at Lincoln Uni studying parks and recreation management. My first half was the Christchurch event, starting and finishing at QE2 Park, and I haven't looked back or stopped, really." The most half-marathons McDonald has run in a year is six in 2010, and his best time remains the 1:20 effort at the Christchurch Half in 1984.

"I want to achieve 100 halves and keep going 'til I physically can't do them anymore. I need seven more to do 20 Taupo halves and three more to do 10 Xterra halves, which is the first goal."

He is looking forward to the 3D Rotorua Festival that is special in its own right. "It has a huge number of events available, the beauty of running in the Rotorua forest and running on trail off-road make it a real challenge. There are loads of competitors of all makes and models, so it's a good day out. "