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President’s Tan Talk – November 2025
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| Marathon running was the talk of the Tan in November, with many “war stories” being shared. As usual, on marathon day I attended the marathon at a couple of locations, as evidenced in the photos below. The purpose of the first photo is simply to demonstrate how challenging it can be to see VRR members in the crowd of runners as they approach. Early in the race runners are packed tightly, and getting a clear shot is almost impossible. Later, near Anzac station in St Kilda Rd, marathoners and half-marathoners are all mixed together, adding to the search for familiar faces.
Trying to get a good shot sometimes involves not getting a good first shot, then running 50-100 metres ahead of the runner to try again. I did not manage to photograph all VRR members who ran. Congratulations to all who ran. |
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| I was recently asked to speak briefly at a Monash University Laureate Award event for a professor colleague of mine,(ed. Prof Wenhui Duan – in photo ) who ran his third marathon at Melbourne, and loves marathon running. He asked me to speak about The Benefits of Marathon Running, to add some non-academic content to this otherwise prestigious academic event. I highlighted (with photos) octogenarian VRR members (Phil Urquhart, James Yatomi-Clarke, Stephen Barker), who enjoy the physical, social and spiritual benefits of distance running. I also mentioned the young runners from IST (Inclusive Sports Training) who despite learning difficulties thoroughly enjoy their running, including joining in with the VRR community in Tan Time Trials, sharing with us their boundless energy and joy for running. |
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| I think “The loneliness of the Long-distance Runner” is a choice some runners make, but for most of us running is a valued social as well as physical experience.
Apologies for the much-delayed Stride Out, see you at the Tan in December.
Prof Michael Kennedy OAM
President VRR |
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VRR – Melbourne Marathon Recap.
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Our VRR photographer, Michael Kennedy took this shot to illustrate how difficult it is to identify and photograph every VRR member who participated in the 2025 Melbourne Marathon.
So apologies’ if you were missed. |
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| VRR member, Phil Urquhart looking very comfortable at this stage. |
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Gosh, a lot of VRR members are also MM ‘Spartans’.
Merle Want is another with a big smile, obviously enjoying the event. |
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| James Yatomi-Clarke has done ‘heaps’ of Melbourne Marathons – hence the black Spartans singlet. |
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| And keeping it all in the family, James’ daughter, Tanya Fiore-Yatomi, was also a participant. |
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| Patrick Herft was a very happy finisher. |
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Grant Padula was another VRR participant in the MM.
We missed getting a photo of him on the day.
His marathon story is interesting:
“I’ve done 18 full marathons including 15 Melbourne and 2017 was my 10th so I am now a Spartan! I did Hong Kong in Feb 2014 and Macau in December 2014. Ruptured my PCL in April 2015 and did 6 months rehab. Following Melbourne 2019 marathon I found out I have arthritis in my left foot and 2nd metatarsal joint so will have to reduce my distances but hope to keep on running! June 2024 I tore my left hamstring off the bone! Had operation to reattach with surgeon Andrew Oppy who did a great job! Entered for Melbourne 2025 for my number 16th MM!” |
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As you may have gathered, many VRR members have participated in the Melbourne Marathon many times and earned membership of the elite Spartans group.
To qualify as a ‘Spartan’ you have to have completed 10 Melbourne Marathons and then within that elite membership there are further levels recognising those who have completed 15 and 20 times etc.
To get a feel for the enormity of the Melbourne Marathon click on the blue button below (Melbourne Marathon Link) and watch a short video of the highlights. |
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November 2025
TTT Results
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12 TTT Contestants
This is the list of the VRR members who are still eligible for a ‘coverted’ 2025 12 TTT t-shirt.
To be eligible for a 12 TTT t-shirt you need to have participated in either a 4 or 8 km Tan Time Trial in every month from January to December 2025.
The list of names below are the members who have participated every month up to and including November.
If you think that you are eligible and your name is not on the list, please let us know at the December Tan.
Surname First Name
ARMSTRONG KEVIN
ARMSTRONG STEPHANIE
KENNEDY CARL
KISLER LYNN
MARTIN MARIANNE
MILLER STEVE
MYALL HELEN
PARASKEVAS PARIS
RENNICK ROSS
ROBB DEBRA |
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VRR LIFE MEMBERS
Stephen Barker, Kevin Browne*, Sally Browne, Tony Doran, Graham Edwards, Jenny Field, Peter Field, Vern Gerlach*, Peter Gunn*, Don Hampshire*, Eileen Helmers*, Frank Helmers*, Betty Horskins, Graeme Horskins, Mike Kennedy, Lynn Kisler, Greig McEwan, Ross Martin*, Vin Martin, John Morris, Helen Myall, Peter Nicoll*, Bill Noonan, Brian O’Dea, Rod Opie, Graham Prossor, Melissa Groves, Doug Stokes, Brian Toomey*, Stuart White, Robert Wilson, Judy Wines*, Tom Worrell* and Val Worrell.
(* dec) |
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Can you ask your running friends if they are receiving their email copy of Stride Out.
If they aren’t, can you get them to send me an email (gprossor@bigpond.net.au) asking to be put on the distribution list. |
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| RUN CALENDAR AUSTRALIA
Run Calendar Australia now list VRR runs plus lots of other runs.
Visit their website at runcalendar.com.au
or tweet them – @runcalendarau |
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| RUN CALENDAR AUSTRALIA
Run Calendar Australia now list VRR runs plus lots of other runs.
Visit their website at runcalendar.com.au
or tweet them – @runcalendarau |
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