00:00The last time Alan raced in a full marathon, he was just shy of 40.
00:07When he takes part in his next one, he'll be a few days past 80.
00:12I'm doing it because it's a fun challenge. Some people mightn't agree.
00:17Let's go Sydney!
00:18He's training for the upcoming Sydney Marathon,
00:21after being inspired by his grandson's run in the race last year.
00:26I love all the colour, the people coming in, all the personalities.
00:30Some people wobbling in and some people smiling and punching the air.
00:35In recent years, the retired GP has taken up weekly park runs.
00:39I used to struggle to do the five kilometres at first,
00:42but it's infectious, the running, when you get involved with people that run.
00:45They're all a bit mad sometimes.
00:47So far, he's completed more than 100 park runs.
00:51Love the camaraderie, the coffee after the run, and that's enough for health.
00:55I'm talking as a retired GP.
00:57You don't need to do more than that,
00:59but the adventure of taking on a marathon after 40 years.
01:03The Sydney Marathon will be a brisk stroll down memory lane,
01:07with the route taking Alan past some of his old schools and childhood hangouts.
01:12We do a full lap of Centennial Park,
01:14which was a favourite haunt in my young days at Bondi.
01:17Alan met his wife Beverly on their first day of school.
01:21All these years later, she's not surprised by his latest adventure.
01:26Once he sets his mind on something to do, he does it.
01:29Like many athletes, Alan's been training with a particular target in mind,
01:33finishing the race before the seven-hour cut-off mark.
01:36If he does, he'll be automatically invited back next year.
01:40I've got to open roads at some stage, don't they?
01:42They're not going to keep the Harbour Bridge and Anzac Parade
01:45locked off to traffic just so I can finish.
01:47I want to finish smiling.
01:49Smiling and celebrating a birthday well run.
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