Long-time Sports Super Centre member Allan Farrell celebrated his 73rd birthday this week, but he also recently celebrated another very impressive milestone.
The founding member – who remembers being signed up at the Sports Super Centre by long-distance running great, former Mayor and founder, Ron Clarke way back in 2000 – ran his 46th City to Surf fun run in Sydney recently.
A former Sydneysider now calling Runaway Bay home, Allan ran his first City to Surf in Sydney 1971 at the ripe age of 27. Back then, he finished the mountainous 15km race in around 50 minutes. After undergoing a hip replacement four years ago, impressively, Allan can still clock in at around 100 minutes almost half a decade later!
A true Sports Super Centre fitness success story, Allan trains with us seven days a week, preparing him well for the City to Surf each year. A keen bean, he even runs from home to the centre and back every day!
Allan’s training regime involves plenty of hours in the gym, coupled with a penchant for group exercise classes, including deep-water, Spin, Pilates and Les Mills Body Vibe. “Everything you need to stay fit is here, but to be honest, the Sports Super Centre is more than just a gym, pool and classes to me. It’s a lifestyle change!”
He may be well into his seventies, but for Allan, the road continues to call. In fact, you’ll likely see him out on the Sports Super Centre’s new running track in preparation for his next City to Surf run.
To cap it all off, Allan and his team, “The Legends”, ran for charity at this year’s City to Surf, raising much needed funds and awareness for Rotary and youth mental health and suicide prevention.
If you know a Sports Super Centre Member with an inspiring story to tell, email our marketing and communications team at mjtho0@eq.edu.au.
