RUNNING: If you see a lone figure running up Staniland Drv on a cold winter’s morning it’s probably Bob Barford training for this year’s Airlie Beach Running Festival.

Well-known in the area for teaching music and performing – he plays guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele and violin – Bob, 66, is also a keen runner and used to compete in triathlons.

Nowadays, his aspirations are more tempered and last year he entered the Cruise Whitsundays half-marathon event in the running festival, completing it in just over two hours.

His competitive edge, however, is as strong as ever.

“This year I am really hoping to beat my time of two hours, 11 minutes and 28 seconds from last year,” he said.

“My training includes swimming and cycling, as well as running, and I do two or three longish runs a week, including hill work on Staniland Drv – or Highway to Heaven as it’s known locally – early in the morning when it’s still dark.”

Mr Barford, who has lived in Proserpine since 2008, said the Airlie Beach Running Festival was a ‘high profile’ event that attracted athletes from all over Australia and the world.

“What I love about the Airlie Beach Running Festival is the chance to meet and talk to people from all around the state and other parts of the world – the atmosphere of a high profile event is great,” he said.

“I also really like the 2km kids event – my grandsons aged 10 and 11 have registered for it again this year.

“It’s a lot of fun to be involved in the Airlie Beach Running Festival and it’s an opportunity to pace yourself out and see how you are going compared with other people in your age group and just celebrate being fit.”

For more information about the Airlie Beach Running festival visit http://www.runairlie.com.au or email info@runairlie.com.au.