How It All Began
Judy met Michael and Carol while training for the 2000 Olympic test marathon. During 2001 they trained with the Ashtons for the World Vets Marathon Championships. After that event everyone went their own way with their training.
One Saturday Judy was running past Chez Leila and happened upon Judy.T and Carol having coffee. She asked after Michael and was told that at that moment he was out pounding the pavement thinking of running the Melbourne Marathon. He was finding it a tough ask doing the long runs alone so it was agreed that Judy would meet up with him at the Redman for long runs each week while Carol, Judy T and the other girls concentrated on runs a little shorter and far more sensible. The Melbourne Marathon was followed by Sydney Marathon, Gold Coast Marathon the 500km relay then another marathon and then .......
Along the road to various events other like-minded crazies joined them for a run on a Saturday morning. It wasn't long before runners were saying, "I'll see you at Redman !! Still confused by the name?
The Red Man is a large steel figure of a man left without a home after Brisbane Expo88 and moved to his current home standing on the Southbank path just prior to the Captain Cook Bridge. And yes he is Red. He is the spiritual home and meeting place for the Redman Runners. Michael still insists on finishing all of his long runs by giving him an affectionate pat or swipe as he pulls up panting.
The group has grown into an eclectic bunch of running enthusiasts drawn together as much by the chance to have breakfast after the run as the chance to run with a group. Friendships have grown over the years of training and traveling to events together and we have learnt a surprising amount about each other during those long hard slogs around the Fairfield road circuit. And no doubt drank an extraordinary amount of coffee in South bank after running.
Since the original run little has changed. The day for long runs is Saturday, some now meet on Tuesday evening for speed work but it's still Southbank for coffee after the long run and; "Are they new shoes Judy?"
WHY NOT JOIN US ??
Now that you know who we are; why not join us for a run. There are no joining fees, no weekly run fees. In fact there are no fees at all! We are a group of people who like to stay fit and enjoy a long jog on a Saturday morning. Joined a club and now feel guilty about the money and not turning up regularly? That weekly run fee seem extreme considering the advice you're not getting? Come run with us. We meet in the car park above the Red Man.
Be warned, we have no fees and therefore carry no insurance. But we do have a lot of fun and Saturdays long run is carried out at chatting pace with regular stops for water. (We have learnt where every tap close to the city is).
Don't be scared by the distances listed as there is generally a group running shorter or you can loop back and meet us at coffee. Send us an email or just turn up and introduce yourself.
Just ask;"Are you the Red Man Runners?".