Running with the Rabbit
Senior marathon runner going the distance for charity
Keith Ashton believes in challenges and fighting back. In October 2019, at the 40th Annual GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon (now the Royal Victoria Marathon), he was not only the oldest runner in the event at 80 but he completed his first marathon in a time of 5:08:09.
He set his sights on another marathon, the BMO Vancouver Marathon in May 2020, but in March the global pandemic caused race cancellations all over the world. That same month after returning from a trip to the UK he collapsed and was diagnosed with COVID-19. Although not in intensive care, he was on oxygen overnight to monitor his blood cell levels which soon normalised. “Two of my doctors are runners and they said the results weren’t commensurate with an 80 year old. When I told them I was a long distance runner one of them said to get back to running as soon as I can.”
Which is exactly what he did, setting himself a goal of running a marathon in May 2021 to help raise money for It’s Critical, a $7 million campaign for a new High Acuity Unit at Victoria’s Royal Jubilee Hospital. However, in November those hopes were dashed when he had a heart attack and had two
stents put in. On doctor’s advice not to train for a full marathon, Keith will now run a half marathon on May 1.
Although disappointed, the 81-year-old is training well with his run leader Connie Robertson guiding him along the way. He is also looking after himself. “Connie and I go to a personal trainer on Monday morning’s and I have monthly massages and see a chiropractor.” Connie says the cross training is helping. “Prior to COVID his hips were always angry. Now he is getting stronger with each workout.”
Keith runs three times a week including his long Sunday run. Although the half marathon distance is 21.1 km he will exceed that and log between 28 km and 30 km in one last long run before May 1. Known to go out too fast (his nickname is the Rabbit) Connie has the task of monitoring his pace. “He does get back to old ways sometimes and veers up front going too fast without realizing. So he is cued and slows down.”
Keith still hopes to do another marathon. He has registered for the Royal Flush – the virtual event organized by the Royal Victoria Marathon. It consists of five distances – a 1 mile, 5 km, 10 km, half marathon and marathon. Each distance can be completed between May and September. But he knows he has to get the okay from his doctor. “I know I have got at least one more marathon in me – I just have to convince my doctor I can do it!”
To donate to Keith’s It’s Critical campaign go to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ keith-ashton1