Rotorua's fit and finest will be stretching their legs and wearing in their shoes in preparation for May's marathon - but 100-year-old Colin Thorne is proving age doesn't rule anyone out of the race.
Thorne is among about 5000 competitors taking part in the special 60th anniversary of the Red Stag Rotorua Marathon, running in the First Credit Union 5.5km.
It's not the Whangārei local's first rodeo, though.
Thorne has a long history with the iconic race, completing 22 full Rotorua marathons - the most recent in 2014 when the former dairy farmer was aged 90 - at the time thinking that milestone could be his last.
He cheekily spoke to Newshub about being quite the celebrity now days, with TV and radio wanting to get in on his antics.
"I haven't given up yet," he joked.
But in reality, he believes next week's Rotorua race will be the perfect opportunity to sign off his longstanding history with the event so close to his heart.
"I'm suffering a bit now," he said. "I'm only walking now, not running anymore but I thought I better give it a go.
"I've got a few aches and pains with old age… I had a knee replacement 18 years ago and my right hip has worn away.
"But as it is the 60th anniversary, I thought I'll do the 5.5km walk, that will be long enough. I'm looking forward to it."
Thorne remains active in preparation for the race - regularly participating in park runs and exercising six times a week, combining walking with gym work and aqua jogging to keep in shape.
But the former hockey umpire only took up running at the age of 64 to "do something for himself". He joined running group the Hatea Harriers, now called Hātea Run.
Then within his first year of running, Thorne completed his first marathon in Whangārei and on the encouragement of a friend he completed his maiden Rotorua marathon in 1989.
The great-great-grandfather admitted he "broke down in tears" after completing in that first Rotorua event.
And now, having completed almost half his 50 marathons in Rotorua, Thorne said it "holds a certain attraction".
"It's very special really, my second marathon place. I probably wouldn't go if it wasn't the 60th anniversary. You never know what I'm going to do," he laughed.
"The hills out the back are a challenge. Rotorua is always something special, although I think a full marathon would be a bit far for me today."
He recorded his fastest Rotorua marathon time of 3:28:33 as a 68-year-old in 1992.
Walking the race with his daughter Pauline Dinsdale and his son-in-law Rob this time, Thorne has modest goals for the 2024 event, which is run by Athletics NZ.
"I've been walking a lot of park runs so I can probably comfortably do the 5km," he said. "But I'd rather do that than strain myself completing the 10km. I realise I'm a bit old now, but I've been very blessed and I'm very lucky to still be entering races."
Thorne said he felt lucky for Pauline and Rob who've been driving him to events around the country. He's still got his license but said there was more traffic these days.
Now, he hopes his star-power presence at the 60th-anniversary event will act as a spur to others.
"Hopefully it will encourage others to get off their backside and go out for a run, that is what I would love to see," he said.
As for his advice, it's pretty simple.
"You've got to exercise," he said.
"Everyone should take up walking and running if they can. Get away from television, eat the right food, plenty of greens and sleep. That's my motto anyway."
The modest attitude hasn't taken the spotlight off being an inspiration, though.
ACC injury prevention leader James Whitaker called Thorne participating at 100-years-old "truly remarkable".
"What an incredible feat. Colin is a great example to all of us," he said.
"If you look after your body, put in the hard work, you can keep doing what you love for a very long time."
Whitaker said this year's Rotorua marathon would be special for all runners and walkers to compete in the 60th anniversary of the famous race.
1965 winner returns
Also, among those turning out this year is the original winner back in 1965 - Dave Heine - who clocked a time of 2:35:04 to win by a near two-and-a-half-minute margin.
"I felt pretty good all the way but for me to hit the front and win the race was a great surprise," he remembered.
Heine recalled running in a pair of canvas tennis shoes with a rubber sole and his nutritional strategy was non-existent.
"Nutrition was something I didn't think about, and I can't even remember taking a drink in the marathon, which is crazy when you think about it."
This year, he'll be participating in the in the Go Media 10km race at 82 years old.
ACC advice
To stay fit and healthy like in this year's event, Whitaker advised competitors to wear correctly-fitted shoes, warm up properly, run at a comfortable pace, warm down, stay hydrated, and allow time for rest and recovery in training.
The advice comes after ACC accepted 13,368 running-related injury claims at a cost of $9.7 million to help people recover last year.
Soft tissue injuries were by far the most common running injuries (around 90 percent) and the most affected areas were people's knees and ankles.
The leading regions for running-related injuries were Auckland, Canterbury and Wellington, with people aged from 25 to 49 making up more than half of those running-related injuries.
"We want all people who are taking part in the Rotorua marathon to stay injury-free and enjoy the incredible feeling of crossing the finish line," Whitaker said.
"Running is great for your health and offers so many benefits, both physical and mental."
Sign up to the marathon here.
