Chicago is his next great target
"My rugby coach said I was useless and that I should start running. Since that talk I have been running for 40 years."
General manager at Van Wettens, Iain Toomey (61) is on his way to Chicago, United States for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
It’s the pinnacle of achievement for elite athletes and everyday runners alike.
On Sunday October 12 runners from all 50 states and more than 100 countries will set out to accomplish a personal dream by reaching the finish line in Grant Park.
World marathon majors, New York, London, Berlin, Boston and – recently added – Tokyo are on Toomey’s bucket list. “I ran the first one in 2000, the TCS New York City Marathon and enjoyed it the most. It is a very interesting route running through the varying cultural cities.”
Four years later he took on the Virgin Money London Marathon, in 2006 the BMW Berlin and two years later the BAA Boston. Tokyo was included in 2013.
“I want to run the Chicago in under four hours as I have completed the previous four races in less than four hours.”
Toomey did his 25th Comrades this year and for this exceptional achievement, he achieved silver.
It is also because of this well-organised race that he continues to be on the road. “It might be one of the smallest medals a runner will ever take home, but it is my favourite. I keep all my medals in a box and I have a wall of fame.” His personal best in the Comrades is 07:12:00 and 02:39:00 in a marathon.
His most challenging route was the Rhodes Mountain 52 kilometres. “It was an off-road trail where snow, extremely cold weather, steep climbs and blizzards formed part of this provoking run.”
He was born in the United Kingdom, but calls himself a Lowvelder as he moved to the area in 1977. His first marathon was at the age of 19 in Germiston, Gauteng. Toomey is a member of LVCC Marathon Club.
“I love running and get to meet the most amazing people along the way. God created us to run.
“It is good for the soul not just for the body and it keeps me fit and young.”
A South African race still on his to-do list is the Otter African Trail Run in Tsitsikamma National Park.
