Remembering

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I have been there and done that over many years of athletics so I only offer you a snippet of athletics history.  Bear in mind,  that in today’s ever younger world of sport athletes face their future with minimal impact from the past.

I have ‘Been There And Done That,  in every sphere of Athletics,  so I am comfortable with my history and its accuracy which reminds me that I was recently in touch with Herb Elliott, about Western District celebrating its 80th. Anniversary.  Herb was kind enough to send his best wishes to that club..

Back in 1955 I took his dad and himself out to lunch after Herb won his first Australian Championship here in Adelaide.

We actually shared the same Coach (at different times)--The amazing Percy Wells Cerrutty of Malvern Harriers coached me in the late forties in Melbourne.

We were members of Malvern.  

I upset the old martinet in Hobart when the Aust. Championships were being held in 1950 so the  ‘old fella’ ordered me to meet ----At 6am. one morning.

We raced from outside my pub all over Hobart,  then up to the top of Mount Wellington.  There he gave me  the ‘works’ before challenging me to race him down again into Hobart.  Believe me, downhill is worse!

 59 years later, we two of the many athletes he trained were in touch with the friendliness which is a huge part of our great sport.

So if someone tells you “Go climb a mountain” ---think of Percy Cerrutty and the men whom he showed the way!

 Garry Adair