Takayasu Muraki will contest the Southern Cross University 10km Challenge at the age of 83 this year. Photo: Marathon Photos

By Jasmine Rolfe

At the age of 83, Broadbeach Waters resident Takayasu (Taka) Muraki is currently the oldest competitor registered for a race at this year’s Gold Coast Airport Marathon to be held on the first weekend of July.

Having laced up the runners and completed the half marathon nine times and the 10km run five times, you might say Taka is a Gold Coast Airport Marathon veteran and he doesn’t appear to be slowing down.

“I had a miserable experience at a community sports festival when I was 40 years old,” Taka said.

“I was not fit at all and could not complete the short distance race. I let the team down.

“It was at that point that I started running every day and I haven’t stop running since!”

And it seems Taka is a man of his word, having completed last year’s Southern Cross University 10km Run in just over 60 minutes – an accomplishment he attributes to simply eating well, exercising every day and more importantly, now at age 83, not overdoing it.

“I was running every day for about 5 to 10 kilometers,” Taka said.

“But I also have to focus on looking after my knees!”

Support from his family and friends cheering from the sidelines is a big motivator for Taka when he begins to doubt himself throughout the race, emphasising that mindset is one of the greatest hurdles that you must overcome to make it past the finish line.

“I keep telling myself not to give up and not to slow down,” he said.

“There is only a little bit more to go and it will be all over soon!”

True to form and despite his niggly knees, Taka has taken on the challenge once again this year, registering for the Southern Cross University 10km Run, as he loves the event and would encourage anyone of all ages to give it a go at least once.

“I always enjoy participating at the Gold Coast Airport Marathon,” he said.

“It is fun. You don’t have to run fast. You just enjoy running!”

The 39th annual Gold Coast Airport Marathon will be held on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 July.

27,000 runners will take part in the 2017 Gold Coast Airport Marathon.

Set to attract more than 27,000 participants of all ages and abilities, this year’s race program will feature the Gold Coast Airport Marathon over 42.2km, Wheelchair Marathon, ASICS Half Marathon, Wheelchair 15km, Southern Cross University 10km Run 5.7km Challenge, Zespri 4km Junior Dash and Zespri 2km Junior Dash.

For the fourth year, the Gold Coast Airport Marathon has been awarded an International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Road Race Gold Label.

RUN #GCAM17 WITH TAKA