Name: Thalia Anthony

What is your occupation? Law lecturer at Sydney University

Running age group? I’ve just entered the competitive 30-39 age range (sigh…)

Do you have family? Yes – my gorgeous husband Mark (who is also a Woody and whose running has hit new heights since we got married).

How long have you been a Woody? 1.5 years.

Do you run on Tuesday night or Saturday morning? Saturday morning.

Why do you enjoy running? I love it. It gives pace to my life. I suffer withdrawals from a day without running (not that I’m addicted…)

What is your favourite running course/event and why? My favourite course is the Woy Woy Bay to Bay. It’s so beautiful and the food and prizes at the end are tops. I also like the Sri Chinmoy series – they’re very generous with their trophies and have great runs around the (Iron Cove) bay and Lake Gillawarna.

What has been your running highlight? No highlights. Every race is so much fun and a new high; I don’t ever like to think I’ve peaked. Every sprint to the finishing line is a highlight.

Any lowlights? Sore knee and calf … but I’m rising above them.

What was the last race you went in and how did you go? I did the Heart of the Lake 10km Run on 4 May – at Lake Gillawarna. I got 3rd female overall (1st in my age). I did it in 47mins, which was a PB.

Anything funny/unusual ever happened to you while you have been out running? Trying to bite open a water sachet during in a race and having it explode in my face. The person running by my side was cracking up laughing and the only thing I could do was to run faster to reinstate my legitimacy as a competitor.

What other sports/hobbies are you involved in? I do 3 weights classes per week and more if I can fit it in. I knit to calm myself down as I have a bit of an obsessive personality.

Favourite food/beverage? Food = almonds and stir fry veges. Beveridge = coffee!! (I should probably say water but it’s a real chore for me to get my daily requirements)

If you could have dinner with anyone who would it be and why? Paula Radcliffe – I’ve been dying to know where she gets her calf compression gear from.

Where would your ideal holiday be? The base camp walk around Mt Everest.

Interesting things we may not know about you? I love to be in bed by 8.30pm. I’d do it every night if I had the choice!

Thanks for sharing,Thalia!

Name: Martin Amy

What is your occupation? Town Planner

Running age group? Aged 27

Do you have family? Yep, parents, older brother, 2 younger sisters (Family all lives in UK). Mum and Dad are member of West Wight runners on the Isle of Wight.

How long have you been a Woody? Maybe 2-3years??

Do you run on Tuesday night or Saturday morning? Normally Tuesday nights, but at moment am a bit scared of the dark!

Why do you enjoy running? Meet new people, find new places, keeps me active

What is your favourite running course/event and why? Not that I’ve done too many, but for the after party the City to Surf isn’t too bad!

What has been your running highlight? At moment completing my first marathon in Canberra.

Any lowlights (injury etc)? Apart for injuries and niggles. Not pushing myself gets me a bit frustrated.

What was the last race you went in and how did you go? I managed to do the SMH Half marathon and just squeezed in under 90minutes

Anything funny/unusual ever happened to you while you have been out running?

Watching Greg Muir run is always quite amusing…. So Emanuel tells me…

What other sports/hobbies are you involved in? I play golf, do a bit of Rec AFL and Oztag in summer

Favourite food/beverage? Spaghetti Bolognese/Milo

If you could have dinner with anyone who would it be and why? Nigella Lawson, of course the reason being that I’d love to pick her brains about her recipes. NOT that she’s easy on the eye…..

Where would your ideal holiday be? Anywhere that the weather lets you go outside and enjoy yourself

Interesting things we may not know about you? I score cricket for Sydney University and currently travel the country in the summer with the XXXX Gold Beach Cricket.

Thanks for sharing, Martin!

As a resident of Burwood in 1980, I ticked "jogging club" as a possible interest of mine in a survey conducted for the newly opened Woodstock Community Centre. One hundred and fifty people replied likewise, but only five, including Steve Briscoe, my son, Rohan and I, attended a meeting. Nevertheless, we decided to form a group, Woodstock Runners, and our first run through the Appian Way took place in August 1980.

I have always been involved in sport. At school it was athletics, netball and tennis, while squash was my No.1 sport for 16yrs during the time my children were growing up.

Woodstock Runners introduced me to distance running and in 1983/84 I ran 4 marathons and have run many half marathons over the years, as well as numerous and varied fun runs. Injuries introduced me to swimming and then to racewalking, so that, at present, I run, walk and swim and compete in all three.

I have five adult children, who grew up in Burwood, where I lived for 41yrs, before moving to Cronulla almost 7yrs ago. My two daughters live in Cronulla, with three sons spread from Hong Kong to the Eastern Suburbs. They are all involved in sport. I have three grandchildren, with a fourth due in August.

Woodstock Runners has been a big part of my life and I am most grateful for the good times and the wonderful friends I have made through the Club. So many of you have inspired and motivated me over the 23yrs of my involvement. For that, I thank you and I sincerely trust I can always remain interested in running, walking and general fitness.

Kerry Bray

Name: John Dawlings

What is your occupation? Project Manager in IT

Running age group? I’ve just turned 55 and moved up an age group. I wasn’t too slow to win my age group before, I was just too young.

Do you have family? A wife, a 17 year old daughter and an 8 year old boy.

How long have you been a Woody? Rather lost track now but it must be close to 15 years. I joined when my old club, Earlwood Sports Centre, folded.

Do you run on Tuesday night or Saturday morning? Just Tuesdays now. I gave up Saturdays as I found that getting up early to run with Woodstock on Saturdays and then again to do a fun run on Sunday meant that I was tired the whole weekend. It didn’t bother me but my family were less than impressed.

Why do you enjoy running? A really hard question. I certainly enjoy the competitive aspect and love racing. I love the atmosphere of suburban fun runs and do as many as I can. I have also made many friends and acquaintances through running and it is always good to meet up with these people. Outside of races, I think that jogging does to me what meditation does to others – it clears the brain out and leaves me feeling mentally refreshed.

What is your favourite running course/event and why? Well I am heading for my 30th City to Surf this year so it would be churlish not to rate it near the top. The Woodstock run was great of course. I put on a run with a friend in Rozelle for a few years which gave me a lot of satisfaction (as well as headaches). Sutherland to Surf is always good for your ego as it gives you seriously inflated ideas of your ability. Bathurst too is good fun.

What has been your running highlight? My best run ever was the Sutherland to Surf many years ago. I ran far quicker than I believed possible, went through 10 kms in under 32 minutes and finished in under 35. I was heading for a similar run once in the SMH half but pulled a hamstring at the 18 kms mark – I nearly cried. Fourth place twice in the world vets road running championships are also right up there.

Any lowlights (injury etc)? Injuries over the last few years have forced me to back right off the intensity I was previously able to apply to my running which has been frustrating but possibly good for my marriage!

What was the last race you went in and how did you go? Had a shocker in the 5 kms track run at Sylvania last Thursday.

Anything funny/unusual ever happened to you while you have been out running? Many but probably best for a separate article. I’ll give you copy of my story about being bitten by a dog in the Philippines sometime.

What other sports/hobbies are you involved in? None now apart from being treasurer for the local scouts. In the past I have played rugby fanatically (but not very well), reasonable cricketer and I was a pretty serious schoolboy fencer.

Favourite food/beverage? Beer. That should probably appear under hobbies as well. I love Indian and Thai food and lamb. So lamb rogan josh would be right up there.

If you could have dinner with anyone who would it be and why? Funny this, I really can’t think of anyone that I don’t know that I would like to have dinner with. Miss World possibly but I’m not sure she would be keen on having dinner with me.

Where would your ideal holiday be? I love visiting the Philippines with my family. One day I want to go to Carnivale but that might have to wait a while.

Interesting things we may not know about you? I once had a job artificially inseminating turkeys.

Thanks for sharing, John!

EDDIE THE CHAMPION

Eddie McLean blitzed the field recently at the Alice Springs Masters by coming first outright in his age group for:

• the 800 metres

• the 1.5K

• the 3K

• the mile

• the 6K and

• the 10K.

Everyone knew Eddie was there and probably trembled when they saw him lining up against them at the starting line.

Congratulations Eddie, well done.

Written by Rick Collins 30/11/04

Name: Dot Siepmann
What is your occupation? Retired, since February
Running age group? W60-64, 65 next month
Do you have family? Yes,a sister in the USA (Minnesota). I left the USA in 1971 & came to Australia via West Berlin in 1974.
How long have you been a Woody? About 26 years. I only started running at the age of 37 after attending a "Life be In It Jogging Clinic" at Sydney Boys High School and quickly got hooked.
Do you run on Tuesday night or Saturday morning? Tues night Why do you enjoy running? Getting outdoors, the feeling of movement. I love competing and would not be happy running only to keep fit, although that is a bonus. And I have met so many terrific people involved in running.
What is your favourite running course/event and why? I have a love/hate relationship with the City to Surf. Hate the crowds and waiting around but love the satisfaction of completing it (24 times so far). Also like the SMC series- nice and layback and reliable courses. Also like the straightforward fast course of the Sutherland to Surf.
What has been your running highlight? The Avon Womens Run from Frenchs Forest to Manly that I did in 1984. It was there that I ran my 10 km PB of 39.28. I got a real thrill out of being able to see the leading ladies for most of the run. I also won't ever forget my 4th place in my age category in the World Veterans Championships in
Melbourne in 1987. The cheer squad from Sydney could not help but spur me on.
Any lowlights (injury etc)? Yes, various injuries over the years that have sidelined me from time to time. But now it is the fact that I am putting in just as much effort but getting ever slower.....and you discover that the injuries aren' t injuries just the signs of advancing years.....
What was the last race you went in and how did you go? The Sri Chinmoy 12 km at Prospect Creek last Sunday. A lovely course run for the first time on cycle tracks and their welcome pancake breakfast afterwards. My time was nothing special but I enjoyed the run and pulled up well afterwards. Made me a bit more confident about the City to Surf next week.
Anything funny/unusual ever happened to you while you have been out running? I as hit by a car while running on the road near Mittagong many years ago and don't ecommend it. I was knocked around a bit- torn shoulder tendons, a cut on my head and ost some skin on the road. I spent a few hours in Bowral hospital getting x-rayed but o broken bones. I was back running the next day.I know I was very lucky and could asily have been killed. It's the best lesson in road awareness that I have had.
What other sports/hobbies are you involved in? I love dancing- Afro Rock, but don't et to do enough of it. And my favourite lazy relaxation is X-word puzzles.
Favourite food/beverage? At the moment, sweet chii calamari, Weis mango & acadamia ice cream or almost any ice cream and McGuigans Black Label Red and milk but not together).
If you could have dinner with anyone who would it be and why? Nelson Mandela. I ave great admiration for someone who has his patience and who has sacrificed so much of his life for his people. I would like to see what makes him tick.
Where would your ideal holiday be? Fiji, running the Bula Half Marathon and relaxing fterwards in a beach chair under a huge frangipani tree in one of their lovely esorts. ( My holidays always include running).
Interesting things we may not know about you? Aptitude tests, as I was leaving high school, told me that I should go on to be a POET.

Thanks for sharing, Dot!

Joined Woodstock: 1985

Most Memorable Achievement: Finishing my first marathon (Wang 1985 in 3:24:39, #1142 in the photo at right)

Favourite Event: Relay Events, notably the 24 Hour Olympic Relay at Homebush, also the Westfield to Hopetown Relay, when they were both on.

Occupation: Business Analyst (Superannuation)
Favourite Food: Pasta, Cadbury Chocolate, Coffee.
Other Interests: Wife Cathie & son Luke, activities at Castle Hill Baptist Church, Computers (inc. self-teaching website design), Gardening, Family History. Also Photography, my photos can be viewed at RedBubble.com.au

PB's: 10km - 36:42
City to Surf - 53:10
Half Marathon - 81:12
Marathon - 3:18:34

Name: Brendan Davies

What is your occupation? Primary School Teacher

Running age group? M30-39

Do you have family? Yes, my lovely wife Nadine and our 2 dogs, Thommo & Lily (I’m a cricket tragic...)

How long have you been a Woody? Only about a year and a bit, since I relit my affair with running.

When do you run with Woodstock? I’m a regular Tuesday nighter and have started up the TNT-Thursday night training at Campbell Oval. Very occasionally I make it out of bed to get to the Saturday morning run.

Why do you enjoy running? I love the earthiness of running—it’s just you and the environment doing something that feels so natural. I love pushing my physical limits and achieving goals that I set myself. Of course I love the friendships formed as well.

What is your favourite running course/event and why? My favourite running course would be anywhere through the Australian bush. I have a few events I really look forward to like Fitzroy Falls Marathon and 6 Foot Track Marathon. I look forward to the City 2 Surf too (just for the sheer volume of bodies.)

What has been your running highlight? Finishing 6 Foot track this year in just over 4 hours was good, but what was even better was watching everyone finish and the emotions on display were pretty special. I just remember sitting back and thinking ‘this is why I love running’. Running sub 4min km marathon (2:47) this year was special too.

Any lowlights (injury etc)? Thankfully, not to many injuries (they have yet to catch up with me), a twisted ankle here and there from running on the trails (or the roads around Burwood)!

What was the last race you went in and how did you go? The Fathers Day 5 event at Homebush. I wanted to get a PB and I achieved that in 17:47. It was only a PB by 10 sec but you have to be happy with that! Short distances are not really my forte.

Anything funny/unusual ever happened to you while you have been out running? At the NSW Mountain Running Champs this year half the field took a wrong turn going up a mountain and I ended up finishing 3rd, unfortunate for them! I didn’t quite know how to feel! On a long run in Ouvea, New Caledonia this year I had a stray dog follow me for about 12km on this deserted road . The poor thing was so thirsty by the end of it I thought it went into the bush to die! Quite funnily, it came back about 5 minutes later with a coconut it had found clasped in its salivating mouth and began to rip it apart extracting every last bit of moisture from it that it could. I found that funny...a coconut eating dog! Obviously a local!!

What other sports/hobbies are you involved in? I play pennant level squash and get out mountain biking as much as I can. I love travelling, either in Australia or abroad.

Favourite food/beverage? Favourite food has to be oysters, I could seriously eat a thousand of them in a sitting. I love all types of seafood really. My beer of choice is James Boag Draught from the Tap in any pub in Launceston (it doesn’t get any better).

If you could have dinner with anyone who would it be and why? I know it sounds a bit corny, but I’d love to pick Rob De Castella’s brains over a meal (of low fat-high protein of course!).

Where would your ideal holiday be? Trekking through Asia Minor, Nepal and the Himalayas has always been a something that has appealed to me. If I was looking for a lazy holiday, cruising the Caribbean with no time constraints!

Interesting things we may not know about you? I once weighed 85kg, I am currently wallpapering a wall at home with all my race numbers and I attend a Korean Church, but can’t speak a word of Korean!

Thanks for sharing, Brendan!