Catch up with Stella Sports Club’s youngest and oldest runners

IT’S been seven weeks since Stella Athletics Club launched their Couch to 10km Challenge.

Three weeks of training are all that stand between the participants and the 10km Checkstar Verulam Falcons Challenge with Vitality on May 22.

Not only has the challenge improved fitness, but it’s also banded together community members from all walks of life. As race day draws near, we chatted to the oldest and youngest member of the Couch to 10km crew to find out how they feel about the 10km road ahead.

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When Morningside musician, Tony Fisher decided to take up the challenge at 75, his family didn’t bat an eyelid.
“My wife is used to me doing unusual things because I always go our on a limb,” he saidAfter performing with The Blarney Brothers for 48 years, Fisher’s passion for music can’t be silenced. When other members of the band retired, Fisher decided to form a new band with his Son. The band, aptly named, Blarney and Son is busy as ever, said Fisher. He took on the challenge to get off the couch and away from the TV.
It didn’t take long for Fisher to discover unexpected benefits from the training sessions.

“I am finding it pretty difficult, although psychologically it’s been very interesting as I have felt a mental boost. I feel better after the exercise. The day after I feel a bit sore bit I am getting used to it,” he said.

He is confident that he will be able to complete the 10km challenge.
“It will be slow but I will manage,” he said.

Aside from running the 10km race in May, Fisher plans to continue running. He is considering joining Stella Athletics Club.
“I have no intention of running the Comrades Marathon but I will continue running – it’s good for your mind and your heart,” said Fisher.

Meanwhile, the Comrades Marathon is on 10-year-old Dali Matsha’s to-do list. While he’s currently running circles around the rest of the Couch to 10km crew, he is considering perusing a career in running. The youngster has already run two 10km races, one at his school and one with his father. His mother Rachel has been joining him for the Couch to 10km training sessions.

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“I enjoy being active. Running is fun. I’d like to run as a profession one day. I want to run the Comrades one day as well,” he said.

Reflecting on the training so far, Matsha said the 5km time trial in the beginning of the 10 week training was his favourite session.
“I came first with a time of 32 minutes,” he said.

Matsha enjoys running continuously, whenever the rest of the team can keep up.