Walking the long road pays off for Jim By Kylie Malin | Taranaki Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Taranaki

Having gone through more than his fair share of running shoes and a hip replacement, Jim Reed has overcome doctor's orders not to compete and has reached his milestone 175th marathon which he will be walking this weekend in Masterton. Jim has been busy training for the marathon by tramping up to three times a week and going for regular walks around Stratford.

He has also been using half-marathons and 10 kilometre walks as practice runs for the big day.

"My aim is to finish. Luckily so far I've finished every marathon I've started and it would be disapointing to ever have to pull out of one!" Jim commented.

This weekend will be Jim's 91st walking marathon, rounding his total to 175 with 84 running marathons that he completed before he had his hip replaced.

With over 25 years experience running and walking marathons, Jim is certain his interest was sparked by his brother. I started running with him to the end of the road, about two kilometres. Gradually we began to run longer distances and then we heard about the Rotorua Marathon. I competed in it for the first time in 1979. I got in under four hours which I thought was pretty good. After that I was hooked.

Marathons are 42.2 kilometres long and Jim is thankful he started competing right when they became popular.

"I did two in my first year and by 1980, entry numbers had almost doubled at most marathons. I fluked my timing really!"

After 11 years running marathons, disaster struck for the keen athlete and he received some not-so-welcome news.

"I used to average ten marathons a year but I remember once I got enthusiastic and did 13. After years of running I began to feel little twitches in my hip and the doctors told me it was no good. Instead of doing ten marathons a year, I was reduced to none. I had finally got my time to under three hours and I was told I couldn't run anymore. It was four years before I even thought about competeing again.

When I had my hip replaced the doctors told me no running. Luckily for me I fluked it again and walking marathons was becoming more popular so I took this up instead."

Jim's first walking marathon had special significance. He went back to where it all started and competed in the Rotorua Marathon and he hasn't looked back since.

"It seemed a bit slow to start with-instead of coming in under three hours, it was taking me six! Gradually my times got faster. I used to always have a bit of doubt in my mind that I wouldn't finish but I persevered through 90 walking marathons!"

Coming up to the big weekend, Jim is still taking the odd walk with his brother and hopes that this marathon is a stepping stone to bigger totals.

"I've definitely still got a few good years left in me yet!