AS a member of the oldest relay team in NSW, Tony Re likes to think he and his mates are passing the baton on to younger generations.
The team from Bankstown Sports Athletics became the first team in the 80+ age bracket to run in a NSW state event at the NSW State Cross Country in Miranda this May.
Former educator Tony (80) and his teammates Abdon Ulloa (81), Roger Hillsdon (80) and Alan Atkins (81) won a gold medal for their efforts, while also competing against younger teams in the 70+ age bracket.
"After the event, we reflected on things and thought 'gee, nobody has done this before and we achieved it as a group'," he said.
The dedicated team member first took up running in his 30s when a doctor advised him to do something about his fitness and has been running with the club since moving back to Sydney from Armidale in 1984.
He said he thoroughly enjoyed running and made sure to run for around 50 minutes every day.
"I think it's very, very important for everybody to get out and enjoy what they are doing."
He said three of the team members had been running together for around 30 years and he thought staying mentally active was a secret to his teams enduring physical fitness.
"One of us still works full time, another has his own lawn mowing business, another is a part time muso and I still do some advising in the areas of school planning and appraisal of staff."
Tony said the club contained a diverse range of athletes, including some who were at the Olympic level, but was extremely supportive and aimed to encourage participation from people of all ages and abilities.
While he is very close with his teammates, he said he was also friends with members of various age groups.
"We don't get bogged down by ages. It is important to interact with people of all ages."
"I think we like to think we are an inspiration for young athletes and make them think 'if they are still doing it, I can do it'."
The group will not run together again for a few months because Abdon is planning a trip to Norway, but Tony said he was looking forward to running with his team again at Rydalmere in August.
The club has athletes ranging in age from the 12+ to 80+ age brackets.
It has won the Athletics NSW Winter Series for the past eight years and team members are hoping to win a ninth title this year.
The Winter Series comprises of seven different events between April and August.
For more information, call 0438-619-662 or click here.
