Long Distance Runner Finds Solace in Running

NZ MASTERS GAMES MEDIA RELEASE 11 FEBRUARY 2012

Long Distance Runner Finds Solace in Running

At 59 years old, Barbara Dixon Grant from Dunedin will be the oldest female running in the half marathon at the Masters Games tomorrow. Barbara took up long distance running as a way to cope with family grief and the half marathon is just the beginning of it. She has run many marathons and competed three times in the ultra marathon, the Kepler Challenge (68kms).

Twenty-five years ago, Barbara’s fourth child Mohi was stillborn and five years later she lost her 13yr old son Kahu to leukaemia. Barbara says taking up running was very therapeutic.

“The most important thing is taking out time for yourself. When you’re running your body goes into automatic and you have time to think and it’s a time when I feel most connected to those I’ve lost. I often come up with my best ideas when I am running; your mind is so open”

Barbara’s fastest time for the half marathon has been 1hr 38mins. Tomorrow she will settle for under 2hrs.

Barbara trains early in the morning setting off at 5.30am including in winter in the dark. Depending on the event she is training for she can run for 30mins or for up to three hours.

Barbara, who is a grandmother to five grand children of her own and five foster grandchildren, says her ambition is to one day run a half marathon with one of her grandchildren. She says the most likely one is only ten years old, so she’ll be putting in the hard yards for some time to come.
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