Amazing feet: Colin’s up for it

• Published date: 11 April 2024
• Author: RUNNING
• Publication title: Northland Age, The

The Whangārei-based runner has a long history with the iconic race, completing 22 full Rotorua marathons, the most recent being in 2014 when the former dairy farmer was 90, Athletics NZ said in a statement

He turned 100 in January and soon afterwards completed his 175th park run, cheered on by about 400 people at a special event in his honour.

His next big goal is to compete over the 5.5km distance as part of the 60th-anniversary of the marathon — which he believed was the perfect opportunity to sign off his longstanding history with the Rotorua event.

“I’m suffering a bit now,” Thorne said. “I had a knee replacement 18 years ago and my right hip has worn away and I also only walk these days. But as it is the 60th anniversary, I thought I’ll do the 5.5km walk, that will be long enough. I’m looking forward to it.”

A former hockey umpire, Thorne only took up running at the age of 64 to “do something for himself” and he joined the local Hatea Harriers.

Immediately hooked within his first year of running, he completed his first marathon in Whangārei and, on the encouragement of a friend, he completed his maiden Rotorua marathon in 1989.

Having competed almost half of his 50 marathons in Rotorua, Thorne has a close affinity with the event.

“There is...