Stan Miskin (left) and Fred Brooks became friends for life through their shared interest in ultra marathons.By Sarah Schwager
A Love of ultra marathons, or as these two friends put it, ‘a touch of stupidity’, brought together these Berwick neighbours.
Fred Brooks, 72, and Stan Miskin, 80, had always run and after moving to Berwick at the turn of the century were on the lookout for a club where they could share their passion.
“I used to see this man walking around and around the block,” Mr Miskin said, wondering “who is that idiot that keeps walking round in circles”.
He then discovered the Berwick Veteran’s Athletic Club, which had only recently been set up.
“I went to a meeting and who was running the show but this idiot I had seen running around the block,” he said.
Mr Brooks said at the meeting Mr Miskin convinced him to take part in the 100mile (161 kilometre) ultra marathon, a race in Coburg run or walked over 24 hours.
At 67, Mr Brooks became the oldest “centurian”, stealing the honour from Mr Miskin.
Their friendship seemed inevitable. They are two of only 38 Australians who have achieved the distance since records started in 1937.
“It’s been an interesting friendship, especially after that first race in Coburg,” Mr Brooks said.
“It’s something that you don’t forget. It cemented our friendship.”
The two friends have broken a number of world athletic records, and collectively have 40 Australian age records for running.
Mr Brooks said running such long distances needed as much mental as physical strength.
“We’re certainly mental,” Mr Miskin laughed.
Mr Brooks, who started the Berwick Veterans Athletic Club, when he moved to the suburb after living in Bunyip for 10 years, said it was a shame to see it defunct.
The club couldn’t keep running because Casey Council would not give it funding for lighting on the track, needed for the darker six months of the year.
He said as soon as the club was able to get appropriate funding or use a different track, such as Casey Fields when it opens, he would be happy to set it up again.
“I’ll start it up again but not until we can use it 12 months of the year,” Mr Brooks said.
The two pals are looking forward to a number of events and say they will keep running, or walking in Mr Miskin’s case (he says he’s now too old to run), for a long time to come.
Mr Miskin ‘walked’ a 12hour overnight race in Gosford, New South Wales, last weekend – setting a world record by covering 74.06 kilometres in that time.
And both blokes have achieved another record being married for more than 50 years – Mr Brooks to Lillian, and Mr Miskin to Ellwyn. The Gazette would love to hear from other people who have a special friendship.
Phone Sarah Schwager on 5945 0666 or email sarah.schwagerstarnewsgroup.com.au
