Starting in the sport four decades ago.

Packing so much into that time and still well up for a challenge at 75. A masters international in athletics and triathlon.

Modest and understated but very inspirational David Hawcroft.

1.When did you start running
40 years ago. Started when asked to take part in a student project that involved running; and found I couldn’t do it  - when only 35

2. When did you join Trim AC ?
About 18 years ago. We came over here in 2000 and spent a couple of years building a house. After that I thought I ought to get to know some local people

3.Why do you run ?
Mentally it gives me self-confidence, and I like the feeling of being flexible and having some stamina.

4.Favourite event, race or competition (other than a Trim AC event)?
In recent times the Causeway Coast half marathon without a doubt. Very varied terrain (without being ridiculously hard), spectacular scenery and often good weather.

5.Do you listen to music, podcasts or the natural world while running ?
Never. Far too easy to allow yourself to go too fast with macho-music playing away

6. Favourite type of training. ?
Long slow run, ideally through woodland on a soft trail.

7.Who is your athletics hero ?
Interesting question this. It’s very easy to admire those with natural ability (although I grant they often train hard as well). But there are two groups I admire. One is those people who do long distance stuff, even multi-day events, in rough country. The mental challenge involved in this sort of thing can be very hard. Several club members are first class at this. The other group are those to whom athletics doesn’t come easy but struggle with it, and achieve excellent things for them. Some of the couch to 5k people spring to mind. However I recall when I used to help out with the very young members in the school hall that there was a young girl who was slightly overweight and seemed to have no co-ordination or agility. Nonetheless she was there every week plugging away and throwing herself into it. My heart bled for her and I hope adolescence brought some useful changes for her

8. What is your best memory from the sport ?
Completing the South Downs Way Trail Tace; 80 miles of unmarked cross country with a night finish. I finished just after the bar shut.

9. What is the best race or athletics competition you ever watched but did not take part in ?
I thought Alistair Brownlee’s performance in the triathlon in the London Olympics was amazing. He did the 10km in a highly respectable time - after a 1k swim and a 40k bike,

10. What aspect of the sport gives you satisfaction ?
Simply finishing a long race!

11. How important is group training to you ?
Sadly nowadays not at all; I’m so slow and deaf that group running would be an embarrassment

12. Has the sport influenced life in general ?
Incredibly so, in giving me some degree of confidence but also an appreciation of other peoples struggles and an opportunity to help out in a small way.

13 .What do you feel is your best sporting attribute?
Possibly not for me to say??

!4. What motivates you to go training on a wet and windy day ?
Love it!. Nothing like getting on some shorts and a singlet and going out in heavy rain, or preferably sleet. That’s me; near naked – in sleet – in Wicklow – in winter

15. What advice would you give a new member ?
If you are a new runner then be immensely proud of yourself. If you can run about 3 km then you have become exceptional; so congratulate yourself. From nothing, the first 3km are the hardest you will even do, after that it gets easier.