Panorama runner lace-up for Westgate run
Veteran athlete reflects on endurance, ageing and staying motivated after a challenging community event, inspiring fellow joggers while preparing for an upcoming Gauteng road challenge.
At 75, Panorama-based runner Chris Reed is still lining up at the start line – a quiet testament to a competitive running career spanning more than six decades.
Reed was among more than 1 800 participants at the Westgate Family Run on Sunday, February 8, completing the race despite openly acknowledging that his pace is no longer what it once was.
While his finishing time may not have matched the standards he set for himself in earlier years, the performance carried deeper personal meaning. After more than 60 years of competitive running, Reed said this was one of the slowest races of his career – a reality he has come to accept.
The route presented a familiar challenge, particularly the steep hill that has become a defining feature of the race. Reed remembered the climb from last year’s event and said it once again tested his resolve.
“The big hill gave me problems. I remembered it from last year, and I always try not to walk up hills, but I had to for the last bit,” he said.
“I didn’t really learn anything new, but it confirmed what I already knew. Despite the challenge, I have been running and racing for over 60 years, and my results don’t affect me,” he added.
Reed began his running career in the United Kingdom, where he emerged as one of the country’s top youth and junior middle-distance athletes. He once held the UK U18 10 000m record and went on to win numerous races, even though he did not reach the same heights at senior level.
After relocating to South Africa a decade ago, Reed found renewed success in Masters Athletics, earning multiple age-group podium finishes at both provincial and national championships – achievements that underscore his longevity and continued commitment to the sport.
With little time for reflection, his attention has already shifted to his next challenge. Reed is preparing to compete in the Brooks Cradle Cracker 10km on March 1.
Despite slower times, his continued presence on the start line remains an inspiration, proving that while speed may fade, the spirit of running can endure for a lifetime.
