Over 70, but not over the hill

They may not be your typical senior citizens, but they still have some great stories.

Three men, each of them over 70 years old. On a good day they can run most younger people into the ground. And on a bad day, you watch out.

These three have formed a team, a formidable group they say will take the age group prize in the Lucky 7 Relay Race in Halifax on Nov. 18 at the Halifax Commons.

Racers are encouraged to create teams of three or they can try their luck and be randomly paired with two other runners. Each member will run 7K in a team half-marathon. There will be plenty of random prize draws and jackpots too, especially for people who cross the finish line 7th, 77th and 777th - their teams win $300!

The race is being put on by United By Running, which was responsible for Sole Sisters and the Maritime Race Weekend races.

Bob Brake, one third of his dream team, says he is the best looking one.

"Yes, I am looking forward to this race. And it will be a pleasure to have these guys along for the ride."

These guys are his teammates Malcolm Pain and Tom Harmes. Like Bob Brake they have all been running for more than 40 years and are icons in the running community.

Brake was one of the original members of Run Nova Scotia, supplied a home for the Halifax Running Club for years and was a professional boxer in the 60s.

"We didn't know anything about run training in those days," he said. "You just went out and ran by yourself, no music, we didn't need it. It was you and the road."

Brake would warily eye another guy on the boxing circuit who had also started to lace up his running shoes.

"I had dark hair back then," said Tom Harmes. "And we were young, strong and stupid."

Harmes was a competitive race car driver, teacher, Eastern Passage Summer Carnival 10k Race Director for a quarter century and the event director for the Moose Run since the early 1990s.

"I am going to keep on running, well until I can't."

Malcolm Pain rounds out the team. Born in England he started running while in the navy.

"I remember one time having my wife drop me off at the airport and I ran home to Fairview," he said.

Pain just ran in the Boston Marathon this past April.

"And I even went dancing that night."

Brake doesn't dance around the topic when asked about longevity and running.

"Listen, I wouldn't be here today if I weren't a runner. And if I go out while I am running up that big hill, well so be it."

But the threesome have some work to do before that happens. They want to win the age group award at the Lucky 7 and once again prove to Pain's doctor that running is a great sport.

"I broke my leg and my doctor didn't think I would ever run again," he said. "I had steel keeping my leg together and I started running again. I told my doctor I would give him my race shirt after my next race. He took the steel out after that and accepted the shirt."

Each man has his own piece of advice to seniors and runners alike.

"Lead by example," said Brake.

"Be the best you can be," said Harmes.

"Remember, with running it is not about how far, but about how often. And have fun." said Pain.

joanneoostveen@accesswave.ca

For info on how to register for the Lucky 7 relay to be held Nov. 18 go to www.lucky7relay.com