Ron Robertson
Ron Robertson of Gisborne has been selected from a short list of five as the World Masters Association Male Athlete of the Year.
At the world masters championships in Sacramento in July Robertson won four gold medals and set three world age group records.
In the M70 grade Robertson set world records in the 1500m 4m 52.95s, 5000m 18m 15.53s and the 2000m steeplechase 7m 10.03s. He also won the 8km cross country in 32m 9.96s.
The 70 year old said that he was surprised to win the Oceania nomination let alone winning it globally.
“I had a break of eight years and only got back training seriously after Christmas. I didn’t do much last year mainly road cycling with a bit of running.
“It had been ten years since I last competed at a world championship but I had an injury free build up and the thought of competing in Sacramento kept me motivated,” said Robertson.
“There were other athletes who achieved as well as I did in Sacramento but I think they took what I have done in the past into consideration as well.
“I have a good international record at world championships, 31 gold and three silver medals as well as 15 world records over the time.”
Now that he is back into running and ticking over he will carry on and compete at the Masters Oceania Championships in Tauranga next February.
Robertson has been invited and he and his wife will attend the IAAF Gala in Monaco on 12 November.
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