Retired
Updated: 2022-03-15
QueenslandRonald Moreton Grant was a reasonable runner as a schoolboy who showed a preference for longer distances. He attended a talk by legendary coach Arthur Lydiard in New Zealand in the 1960s and became hooked with the long-distance training regime.
Grant's fastest marathon was run in 1969, before he helped to establish the Caboolture District Amateur Athletics Club. He was the organiser of the Queensland Marathon Championship from 1974 to 1982. His sporting & administration achievements were recognised by being awarded the Queensland Sportsman of the Year in 1983, Queenslander of the Year in 1984 & the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1984.
His insatiable desire to run longer distances led to a string of solo long distance runs including his most well-known run around Australia in 1983. This was a 13,383km continuous run, requiring a minimum of 20km every day with no rest days, that he completed in 217 days for an overall average of 61.67km per day.
Following his retirement from active running having achieved all there was to conquer in solo & adventure running, he put efforts into organising races including the Nanango 1000 Mile Track Race, Nanango 5-Day Stage Race (330km), Nanango State Forest Race (50km) & Caboolture Dusk to Dawn 12 Hour Race. During this time he was the first President of the Queensland Ultra Runners Club.
Over his 30 years as an active runner Ron Grant ran 147,692km at an average 96km per week.
1977 | Bundaberg to Caboolture | ||
1979 | Sydney to Brisbane | ||
1981 | Simpson Desert | 379 km | 4 Days 11hr 44min |
1983 | Around Australia | 13,383 km | 217 Days |
1985 | Simpson Desert | 379 km | 3 Days 21hr 40min |
Ron is recognised by the Australian Ultra Runners Association in the Hall of Fame.
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