At 79, Ron’s flying high
79-year-old Ron Tanner takes to the sky as he completes his bucket list.
SKYDIVING for his 79th birthday has left Bluffite, Ron Tanner with one less item to achieve on his bucket list.
The well-known runner who has lived on the Bluff for over 40 years turned 79 on Sunday, 25 May. Ron has always lived an active life and after his final Comrades Marathon in 2000, he joined the elite group of competitors to have run the race 30 times.
Knowing he had a bucket list and that a tandem skydive topped that list, his family surprised him for his birthday with a jump from 8,000 feet (3,000 metres). Eldest son, Baron, who jumped with him, said he was enthusiastic about the surprise and grateful to have the whole family there to share it with him.
Ron said the best part of the experience was climbing out the door of the plane and the worst was landing on his rear on the ground. He described it as the best experience of his life as he gladly ticked it off his list – a list that includes walked the Transkei coast, completing the Mont Aux Sources Challenge and five Duzi Marathons.
A retired maintenance fitter, Ron still trains twice a week at the gym and enjoys walking. When asked what was next, he said he plans to do the jump again in five years, hopefully to claim the title of the oldest skydiver. He may have completed one bucket list item, but the near-octogenarian shows no signs of slowing down.
