Marilyn achieves 100km in the pool
Marilyn Orchard loves a challenge and cannot rest until she has overcome it.
So after regularly attending Waisplash Pool for some months Assistant Manager Annette Lilo issued her the 100km Challenge she thought why not.
Not wanting to fail, Marilyn targeted 50km first but by the time that was achieved she was well on her way, going to the pool at 6am and then in the afternoon to peel off the kilometres.
In one day she did 11km in four hours.
Not all of it was swimming — there were times when she walked — but towards the end she put on the pace, completing the whole challenge in 22 days, well within the time limit of five weeks.
Marilyn and husband Murray moved to Dannevirke just a year ago.
They have had 25 moves in 45 years as involvement in the Salvation Army moved them around quite a lot.
Whenever they moved Marilyn found work, employed as a school truancy officer, a Court stenographer, a hearing tutor for nine years, a Real Estate representative for 12 years and in child care.
She and Murray say they really like Dannevirke.
She says the people are so friendly and welcoming, it is small enough to walk everywhere and within easy travel to four cities, the pool is clean and the swimming relaxing.
She has already joined six organisations.
Waisplash has 55 members entered for its 100km challenge which started in the middle of May.
Several are approaching the target.