By REBECCA BILLS
BELGRAVE HEIGHTS mum of nine Lyn Thompson is gearing up for her 10th Great Ocean Road ultra-marathon.
The 58-year-old is one of the few participants to have completed the Great Ocean Road marathon since its inception and said it is an event she looks forward to each year.
“When I ran my first Great Ocean Road marathon I remember it crossing my mind what it would be like if the event survived 10 years and I ran each of them,” she said.
“As a mother of nine children, I started running when I was 48 and I have now completed all nine Great Ocean Road marathons, one for each of my children.
“This time, the tenth, is for me.”
Mrs Thompson said when her youngest went to kindergarten she wanted to do something to regain her fitness and her body.
“On the way to getting fit I started running and I really enjoyed it,” she said.
“I wanted to run a marathon before I turned 50 – now I’m aged 58 and am gearing up for my 15th marathon.”
“The actual marathon is quite a challenge but all the training keeps you motivated.”
The 45-kilometre marathon with panoramic views of the Southern Ocean attracts participants from across Australia to participate at the iconic event.
Mrs Thompson said she could not have achieved what she has without the support of her family and loves that her achievements has motivated some of her children to run.
“I’m a bit shy of my achievements and I don’t want to make a fuss,” she said.
“I’ve done well in my age group a couple of times and I like to compete against my last time.
“I don’t feel at all old, in fact, I feel younger.”
The Great Ocean Road Marathon is on Saturday 17 March where participants will run from Lorne to Apollo Bay.
Follow the Great Ocean Road Marathon on Facebook at www.facebook.com/greatoceanroadmarathon.
