Get ready for what I’m about to say, because it’s going to blow your mind. Maybe grab a coffee and get comfy.
In a few hours I’ll be flying to NSW to run the Sydney Marathon again, but more on that soon. Right now, I want to talk about a Mackay bloke who has just done something spectacular on the other side of the world, and he’s done it with grace and dignity.
Heard of a fit man called Paul MacKenzie before? He’s an electrician who loves to run and get outdoors. Or should that be a bloke who loves to run and climb hills and mountains, and is also an electrician so he can pay for these outdoor hobbies?
Either way, he’s a superstar in our neck of the woods. Just wait until I tell you what he has just done overseas.
Paul travelled to run the massive UTMB Mont Blanc, France 2024. You may be asking what a UTMB is. Well to put it in words that I can understand, it’s a run, walk, climb and more over tracks and mountains through Italy, Switzerland and France, and its length? 100 miles. Yes, One hundred.
This is what they say about it. Created in 2003, the UTMB is, "The most mythical and prestigious trail running race in the world," with 171 kilometres and 10,000 meters of positive elevation gain around the Mont-Blanc area through Italy, Switzerland and France. A race like no other, it transcends the sport, and has established itself as an iconic trail race, renowned worldwide.
Paul MacKenzie just did this in style in 41 hours and coming in 984th place. This is truly an amazing feat of endurance and should be commended by every one of us who runs a little just to keep fit. This fella has just smashed everything we do out of the park. Congratulations Paul. If you see him at work doing something with power cords or electrical boards, shake his hand. Only after he puts the pliers down.
This leads me into what I’m doing this Sunday in Sydney. It’s nothing compared to what Paul just did. I’m running another Sydney 42km marathon and to say I’m a little excited is an understatement.
Over the last four months I’ve been training for this event in the hope that I can beat my previous times of over five hours (with hardly any training), and you know what, this could be the year for it. I’m certainly not putting any pressure on myself but running around Sydney with thousands of other mad souls does sound like fun.
I’ll let you know how I go next time, but for now, I’m ready for the flight down and seeing my Dad again, who only a few weeks ago, thought he was ready to leave us. Life is great now. Oh, and if you haven’t spoken to your parents or grandparents in a while, pick up the phone. Life is too short. Way too short. Trust me.
You can join Rob Kidd from 5am weekday mornings on 4MK 1026 AM in Mackay and Proserpine, 91.5FM in Airlie Beach or just ask your smart speaker to play 4MK on iHeartRadio!
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