Thursday, 3 February 2011

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today my dad turns 81. He is the main inspiration behind my running. He ran his best marathon of 03:34 when he was 52. My best marathon is 03:48 and I ran it when I was 34. Here is my dad in 1983 finishing the JSE (now City to City) 50km in 04:46:33. He is my hero. Happy 81st dad!



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36 comments:

  1. Big Daddy Diesel3 February 2011 at 16:57

    Tell him I said HAPPY BIRTHDAY

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  2. Emz3 February 2011 at 17:02

    I. Love. this.

    What a great photo! I love how running "runs" in the family.

    awesome.

    Happy Birthday to your Dad!!

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  3. Evolving Through Running3 February 2011 at 17:05

    That's a fantastic 'old-school' picture. Wish him a happy birthday for me.

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  4. Heather3 February 2011 at 17:06

    Your dad sounds like a great guy! I can see why he is such an inspiration to you. You look a lot like him. Happy 81st Birthday to your dad! hope he has a great day!

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  5. Kate Geisen3 February 2011 at 17:26

    Happy birthday to your dad! I'm sure he is very proud to see his son following in his footsteps (even if it's a couple minutes behind :D) and even more of what a good man you are. Love the picture!

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  6. Christi3 February 2011 at 17:26

    Great birthday wishes to your father!

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  7. Matty O3 February 2011 at 17:38

    Loved this post. What an inspiration!!!

    Truly remarkable man. Happy Birthday!

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  8. Amy3 February 2011 at 17:48

    Happy birthday to your dad! And what an inspiration - indeed!

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  9. BabyWeightMyFatAss3 February 2011 at 18:02

    How cool! Happy birthday to your Dad!

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  10. Joanne3 February 2011 at 18:03

    WOW! Happy Birthday to your dad.
    What great motivation that is to have your dad be such an excellent runner.

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  11. Anne3 February 2011 at 18:35

    Happy Birthday to your dad! That's a great photo and I definitely see a family resemblance :)

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  12. Abby @ Have Dental Floss, Will Travel3 February 2011 at 19:10

    Wow, what an amazing inspiration to have in your life.

    Today is my sister's birthday, too :)

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  13. misszippy3 February 2011 at 19:37

    What a cool guy he is! Well ahead of his time. I'll bet he has some fascinating stories about the "old days" of running. Happy birthday to him!

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  14. GaryB3 February 2011 at 20:38

    Wow thats brilliant to have your own father as your inspiration and hero through a sport such as ultra running I wonder how many others have their own parents as their sporting hero and follow in their foot steps? not many i bet.
    Happy Birthday to your father.
    I would love to hear some of his sporting exploits i bet it would be really interesting

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  15. Unknown3 February 2011 at 20:47

    Love it Johann! What an inspiration he is. Happy Birthday to him!

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  16. Raina3 February 2011 at 21:01

    That photo is a real treasure. :) My dad and I don't have running in common- but I love him lots, and can tell you do yours.

    Happy birthday to your dad! Hope you can spend lots of time with him.

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  17. Marlene3 February 2011 at 21:50

    What a wonderful role model!! Happy Birthday to Dad!

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  18. Jennifer3 February 2011 at 22:04

    What a great legacy, a happy birthday I am sure it is!

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  19. HappyTrails3 February 2011 at 22:15

    Awesome - I think I can see your grin from here, proud son of his!!! ;-)

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  20. Jill4 February 2011 at 02:28

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your pappa!!! Look at his awesome muscular running body...I see where you got it! :)

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  21. ajh4 February 2011 at 02:54

    Happy Birthday to your dad. I can see why he is your inspiration!

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  22. Char4 February 2011 at 02:56

    Your Dad is a Super man. Hope he has a lovely day.

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  23. Teamarcia4 February 2011 at 03:47

    Many happy birthday wishes coming to your dad. What a tremendous inspiration!

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  24. DRog4 February 2011 at 05:39

    awesome photo
    happy BDAY Dad

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  25. The Turtle4 February 2011 at 06:02

    Happy birthday to your Dad! I hope he had a wonderful day and that this will be a great year for him.

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  26. ultra collie4 February 2011 at 07:10

    something for you to aim for!
    happy birthday johanns dad!!!

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  27. Chris K4 February 2011 at 07:43

    Okay, now I see where you got your studliness. Happy Birthay Johann's Dad.

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  28. Lauren4 February 2011 at 07:50

    What an awesome post Johann! Happy birthday to your dad. And what an inspiration to read that his best marathon time was during his fifties. Love, love, love the picture. What a treasure!

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  29. Bethany + Ryan4 February 2011 at 15:14

    wow, so cool that your dad is a runner too! that is wonderful! Happy birthday to him!

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  30. Molly4 February 2011 at 16:35

    aw, Happy Birthday to your Dad!!!

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  31. Giorgio4 February 2011 at 22:44

    Great photo of your father! Birthday wishes to him!

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  32. Amanda@runninghood5 February 2011 at 19:18

    This is too awesome! Happy Birthday to him. What a great role model! Reminds me of my grandfather. :) So cool.

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  33. Anonymous7 February 2011 at 12:50

    A running dad is a great source of inspiration. Happy Birthday to him.

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  34. Natalia8 February 2011 at 05:05

    Veels Gelukkig vir jou pa se verjaarsdag! Hoop alles gaan goed met jou en di tone..... Ek will ook se, stuur vir my die name van die boeke wat jy wil he, en ek sal hulle stuur, want ek dink dat jy sal hulle nodig he voor die Comrades. As daar ander goed is, laat my weet, ek kan dit stuur.

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  35. Andrew Opala8 February 2011 at 06:07

    That's awesome. I wish my dad was here!

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  36. racing dawn24 February 2011 at 06:04

    I know I'm late...but Happy Birthday to your dad! How amazing! What a great example and something I hope I can be for my kids!! Thanks for sharing - love the pic! :)

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