Hillcrest athlete, Alf, continues to inspire young runners
Hillcrest Villagers' Athletics Club member. Alf Burgess, is 79 years old and has signed up to compete in his 18th Comrades Marathon.
TALENTED athlete and dedicated husband, Alf Burgess, will support hundreds of other runners at his club’s Comrade’s qualifier, the Threshold Hillcrest Marathon.
Alf took up running when he was just 14 years old, is one of the founders of the Hillcrest Villagers’ Athletics Club and is also the man behind the group’s iconic badge design. Now, at 79, he is still passionate about the sport.
He used to live in Germiston, went to university in Johannesburg to study towards a BsC, but later dropped out. All was not in vain as it was during his studies that he met his future wife, June. They met in 1957 and the loving couple tied the knot four years later. It was 13 years later they made the decision to move to Kloof.
When he is not clocking up mileage on his running shoes, Alf works as an industrial estate agent.
“I really enjoy the work that I do but I love my wife more,” he said.
June was diagnosed with Alzheimers five years ago. His affection for her is visible in the way he holds her hand, his unrivaled patience and absolute ease in her presence.
While Alf runs up to 350km each month, he said his wife is also fitness conscious and the two of them walk about 2km each day.
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The couple have three children, one of whom has run the Comrades Marathon, nine grandchildren and one great grandchild.
He trains up to 25 days a month and clocks in mileage of about 350km.
“This is better than I have ever trained before. I think running has changed many peoples lives and running fit is a super fitness. If you want to start there are Park Runs and trail runs, track runs. Today, I can honestly say that I think I have exceptional health and am convinced it is because of running,” said the sprightly great grandfather.
He has run the Comrades Marathon 17 times, enjoys the down run but admitted that he is a half marathon runner at heart. “The Comrades Marathon is a mountain and you just have to climb it,” laughed Alf.
He was eager to enter this year’s race and said it would be a dream to break the 10.30 mark, which is about seven minutes per kilometre.
The Hillcrest Villagers’ Athletics Club will host their event this weekend and the finish for the 21,1km and the 42,2 km events is at the Hillcrest Sports Club’s main field. There will be foods stalls, coffee vendors, jumping castles for children and a chill zone or athletes. The club invites families and friends to support the athletes on Sunday, 10 February from 6am.
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