JOIN THE CLUB: Out of the blocks: Geelong Cross Country Club president Ken Walker with members Linda Solly, Yolanda Russell and Ben Smith.
JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
MANY of the runners participating in Geelong Cross Country Club events are older than the club itself.
Ken Walker is a case in point even through the club celebrated its 40th anniversary just a few weeks ago.
The 57-year-old is still going strong, as are many of the founding and original members.
“Some of our original members are now up to 600 and 700 races,” Ken revealed.
“I’ve only been there a mere 30 years myself.
“One of our members, Geoff Walker, has run every season since the club was formed in 1971 and has run a whopping 760 club races since then.”
Ken said some famous running names were associated with the club.
“Cliffy Young got his first running shoes from one of our members so he didn’t have to run in his gumboots any more,” Ken laughed.
“Craig Mottram, Lee Troop and Steve Monaghetti have all had a couple of runs with us.
“The club has certainly helped people along the way to becoming professional or semi-professional athletes.”
Ken said the club helped members “get the best out of themselves”.
“Some of our members have done their best running with the club.
“It’s like family. People get encouraged, they never get criticism and we always celebrate each others successes.
“People often say it has been the best club they’ve been involved in and that it means a lot to them.
“It doesn’t matter what happened during the week. It doesn’t matter if you drive a Commodore or a Mercedes – once we’re on the track we’re all equal.
“It always makes you feel good for a few hours afterward – it’s a natural high and gives you a sense of achievement when you complete the course.”
The club has around 170 members ranging in age from 16 to 71.
“I believe it’s the biggest cross country club in the state – that says something about the club as much as anything else,” Ken said.
“We have the children of club members running with us now, so the tradition continues.
“The club was founded by men but about a third of our members now are women.”
Ken said the club held about 24 weekly handicap races during winter, with a few spot prizes handed out.
The club also hosts social nights and fundraisers four charities: Give Where You Live, Andrew Love Cancer Centre, Kids Help Line and Relay for Life.
“We hold fun runs for them and that way we put something back into the community as a club,” Ken said.
Ken said more information about joining the club was available by phoning him on 5243 0854 or 0421936794 or visiting www.gccc.asn.au.
