Hamilton Runner Set to Complete 200th Half Marathon

At 79 years old, Hamilton runner Rod Gill is preparing to complete his 200th half marathon. This Sunday, Rod will line up at the start of the Garmin Half Marathon, part of the Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Marathon presented by ASICS, marking the culmination of a decade-long journey that began when he took up running at the age of 70.

Rod’s running story began in retirement. After stepping away from full-time work in 2014, he started jogging casually around his neighbourhood. But it wasn’t long before his hobby turned into something much bigger, when two years later he joined the Hamilton Road Runners club and completed his first half marathon.

"I never planned to run 200 half marathons. It just happened," said Rod. "When I joined the Hamilton Road Runners in 2016, there were over 100 members and a lot of them ran each weekend somewhere. I started running a couple of half marathons and really enjoyed it.

“I was pretty fit then, and it just sort of grew. I was running most weekends and after a couple of months, I’d done about a dozen. And I thought, well, I'll keep going each weekend. That year I did 52 half marathons.”

That first year of running was a whirlwind. Rod and his wife Jean travelled the country, with Rod taking part in events across both the North and South Islands. Many of the races were trail runs, some quite technical, but Rod embraced the challenge.

"It was a big year," he recalls. "Jean supported me the whole way. We travelled to some amazing places, and I really enjoyed the variety.”

But just as his running journey was gaining momentum, Rod faced a major health scare. At the start of 2017, he was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour in his bowel.

“It slowed me down, but I was lucky,” he said. “They got me into surgery quickly, and within a couple of months, I was back on track.”

Rod’s resilience was tested again a few years later when he experienced atrial fibrillation, a heart condition common among older athletes.

“I had to stop a few times during one race, and after I finished, I felt dizzy and ended up in hospital,” he said. “A few weeks later, I had an ablation procedure, and thankfully, it worked. I’ve been healthy ever since.”

Despite these challenges, Rod remained committed to his goal. He passed the 100-half-marathon mark within five years and kept going, averaging one race every fortnight for a decade.

“I never really set out to do 200 half marathons, but after hitting 100, I thought, why not keep going?” he said.

Rod has completed half marathons all over New Zealand, but the Auckland Half Marathon holds a special place in his heart. His connection to both the city and the race runs deep.

"This will be my 10th Auckland Half in a row. I love the atmosphere, the ferry ride over in the morning, and running across the bridge. It’s really magic,” said Rod.

"I grew up in Auckland and even ran the very first Auckland Marathon over the bridge in 1992. That was something else — the whole bridge was bouncing with the runners. I even walked over the bridge when it first opened in 1959."

Rod’s achievements have been celebrated by his club, the Hamilton Road Runners, who have supported him every step of the way.

"They’ve been fantastic. I’ve always worn my club shirt at every half marathon. It’s a great feeling having them cheer you on at the finish line."

Looking ahead, Rod plans to scale back on half marathons but isn’t slowing down entirely. He’s already signed up for the Tarawera Ultra-Trail 50km in February and will compete in the Pan Pacific Masters Games in Australia next year.

“I did the New Zealand Masters in Whanganui this year and came home with eight medals from eight events,” he said. “Masters running on the track is really good once you get a bit older – takes the pressure off running for two or three hours doing a half.”

Reflecting on the journey, Rod says reaching 200 half marathons is a mix of pride and relief.

"I’m glad it’s over. There have been some great times, but it does get harder as you get older. I’ll still do the odd half, but I’m focusing more on track events now."

He credits the running community for keeping him going – and for making the experience so meaningful.

“It’s a friendship thing more than anything,” he said. “I’ve had some great times, met some amazing people, and looking back, I’d do it all again.”

Asked what advice he’d give to others considering taking up running later in life, Rod is quick to encourage.

"You’re never too old. You don’t have to bust your boiler, you can go at your own speed – you can do anything if you put your mind to it. It’s amazing what the body can do if you push it a little. It’s enjoyable doing something in your old age, especially when you retire. Running has kept me going."