Athletics: Brothers' marathon effort for hospice

When Dunedin brothers Keith and Ian Johnston compete in the Dunedin marathon on Sunday it will be in memory of their father.

John Johnston (71), died last January, debilitated from the latter stages of cancer. He was diagnosed with kidney cancer five years ago, and in July last year a scan revealed it had spread to his bones and lungs.

While spending many weeks with their father and older sister, Robyn (Johnston), at the Otago Community Hospice, Keith (38) suggested that they run a marathon to feel the pain of what their father was going through.

Following the death of their father, the three began to train. Keith, a Dunedin-based sales consultant, who ran the Moro event two years ago in 3hr 38min, sought guidance from the organisers' training schedule in order to prepare and has followed the programme nearly to the letter.

Ian (39), a construction management and quantity surveying student at Otago Polytechnic, attempted to follow the schedule but with his studies and the odd niggling injury, was forced to modify it and adapt it to his capabilities.

Robyn (46), was forced to withdraw from the family challenge when she injured an ankle, but will be there on race day to offer encouragement.

The pair requested race No 38 for Keith as it was his father's lucky number, and a number that has been lucky for the two brothers.

That, combined with the fact his father was also born in 1938 and Keith would be 38 on race day. Ian requested race No 39, his age on race day.

The two brothers have organised sponsors for each kilometre they run in the marathon to raise funds for the Otago Community Hospice. They have raised about $2000 so far.

The marathon will be Keith's second and he hopes to get closer to the 3hr mark while it will mark Ian's first attempt at the distance.

He hopes to finish between 4hr and 4hr 30min.

"But, really, the time is irrelevant," Ian said.

"Just to finish will be an achievement in itself. Plus we are raising funds for a very good cause."

The two have also drawn inspiration from an uncle in Canada, Malcolm Anderson (47), who has completed 37 marathons to date and plans to have completed 50 by the time he is 50 years old.

Anyone wishing to add their support by sponsoring Dunedin's Johnston brothers in their endeavour to raise funds for the hospice can do so by contacting Keith on 488-0575 or Ian on (021) 255 6594 or email ianjohnston@hotmail.com