Warner Beach resident walks 78km for birthday
An honorary life member of the Amanzimtoti Athletics Club decided he would take on a monumental 78km walk for his 78th birthday.
THE STREETS of Warner Beach bore witness to a jaw-dropping feat by a local resident, who for his 78th birthday on October 7 decided to walk 78km.
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For Colin Sydney, this sort of challenge is par for the course, having run 26 Comrades Marathons, two six-day races and countless ultra-marathons in between.
“Long-distance running and walking is in my blood. Over two decades ago, I had a heart problem that put a stop to my running career, but I walk at least 5km every day at minimum,” said Colin, an honorary life member of Amanzimtoti Athletics Club.
The first time he matched kilometres to years was for his 42nd birthday. He did the same when he hit 75.
“I set out at 05:00, stopping at the garage at my home for refreshments and food every 5.2km, and I did that 15 times. At 22:00, I finished, 17 hours later,” said Sydney.
He used a pedometer to clock his mileage and the amount of steps taken. He finished with 109 000 steps.
Sydney said he would like to inspire people to do a walk a day so they can maintain good health and fitness.
He likened energy to money, “Once it’s spent, it’s gone. You’ve got to save it, conserve it during the course of a day. Instead of running until you are exhausted and unable to go on, walk, pace yourself and spread your energy.”
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