Ron Gribble

 

            SPORTING CAREER IN ATHLETICS

                      

                     1957 – 2006 (49 years)

 

1. St George District Athletic Club Inc.

Other positions:

Current Positions:

2. Special Award

1994 - NSW Government Ministerial Sports Appreciation Award in appreciation of dedicated service to St George DAC
 

3. Athletics NSW

4. Major Performances

1965 2nd 880 yds 1: 57.00
1969 2nd Marathon 2: 36.33
1973 3rd Marathon 2: 26.53 (St George DAC record)
1967 4 x 1500m 16.5 (Australian National Record
1969 4 x 800m 7: 41.4 (State Resident Record)
1970 4 x 800m 7: 35.8 (Australian National Record)
Relays – Member of St George DAC’s winning teams

5. State Representative in Australian Marathon Championships

1967 Adelaide 17th
1969 Sydney 11th (member of 2nd placed team – silver medal)
1970 Melbourne 22nd
1973 Perth 15th
1974 Adelaide 19th
1975 Melbourne 19th

6. Other Performances

1966 1st NSW Country Marathon Championship
1966 2nd Tasmanian Marathon Championship
1969 1st NSW Country Marathon Championship
1974 JJ Walsh Trophy (Outstanding Marathon Runner 1973/74)
1977/1978 City to Surf – fastest O/40 division
1978 7th Big M Melbourne Marathon – 1st O/40 division 2: 32.24. Approx. 5,000 runners
1979 2nd Sth Australian Country Marathon Championship
1979 1st NSW Veterans Marathon Championship
1980 JJ Walsh Trophy 1979/80
1980 1st NSW Veterans Marathon Championship
1981 17th Big M Melbourne Marathon – 1st O/40 Division 2: 32.27 (Australian
Veterans Record time) Approx. 6,000 runners.

7. Outstanding Club Teams Results

1970 Manager – Clubs Sydney to Bathurst Road Relay team (24 runners).
Won this event in record time of 11: 48.00

 

1994 Manager – Clubs Winter Season Premiership winning men’s Open A and B Grade teams


1994/5 Manager – Combined St George – Sutherland Interclub T&F Competition Teams.
Won all 4 finals of men’s A, B, C and D grades.

8. Sundry Items

Accumulated 226 medals, including State and Australian Open and State and Australian Veterans Championships. Won 800m and 1500m double on eleven occasions in State and Australian Veterans Championships. Included in this total is a St George DAC Club Record number of medals for team and relay Championships.


Competed in 14 ‘City to Surf’ runs resulting in 21 awards, including 11 gold, 6 silver and 4 bronze medals for individual and teams placings. On other occasions the event clashed with the Marathon Championships, or I assisted with the race commentary.

9. Special Mention

Married in 1969 – two children (Penny and Ian) and now five grandchildren. My very understanding wife, Jean, was also involved in club affairs and was Secretary of the St George DAC Social Committee from 1977 to 1990 when social activities were a major part of the club’s annual itinerary. These included the Club Ball, Christmas tree and dinner for member’s families (with my best mate Frank Thornton as Father Christmas), cocktail parties, celebration dinners, launching of Track & Field and Winter seasons etc. Frank was best man at our wedding. He was also
another of St George’s champion middle distance athletes, particularly over 800 metres, and was interclub record holder and State Champion for this event at one time. Frank was my coach and mentor throughout my running career and whatever success I have had in the athletic arena must be attributed to his understanding of middle distance and distance running and coaching ability.
 

My running career came to a close in April 2000, after medical specialists diagnosed I was suffering from atrial fibrillation of the heart (uneven heartbeat). Although specialists cannot agree on the cause of this complaint, I am certain it was the result of continual running and punishing my body in old age. My head said “keep going”, but my body said “ease up” … guess who won?


I have loved every minute of my time in athletics so far, particular as a member of St George District Athletic Club Inc. and no matter what direction I have taken in the sport.


So now it is down to a walk for me and some official duties with our great club.
 

Ron Gribble
20/3/06