By Holly McGuinness
Running a 42 kilometre marathon is no easy feat, but how about picking up marathon running for the first time past the age of 40?
Craigieburn residents Jackie Ginefra, 58, and younger brother Rodney Vella, 53 are on track to join the Melbourne Spartans club on October 2 when they run their tenth Melbourne Marathon together.
“I think achieving that at such a late age in my life has been something to strive for,” Ms Ginefra said.
“We started doing them and I said to Rod that I’d like to get up to ten.”
Ms Ginefra says she and Rod have a healthy dose of sibling rivalry and hold each other accountable to persevere through each marathon.
Ms Ginefra began her marathon journey by walking the Run for Kids circuit when she was 48 accompanied by Rod.
“Everybody’s body can run, it’s about starting small and building up. We never said today that we’re going to run a marathon tomorrow,” she said.
The pair know the Melbourne circuit inside and out by now, but crossing that finish line still feels incredible every time.
“Melbourne is special, although I know every single stage of it now. I can almost tell you each turn,” she said.
Ms Ginefra said she isn’t set on making a personal best this year and will be more content with crossing over that all important finish line.
“Running into the MCG is such a beautiful feeling. It’s an amazing feeling when you’ve nearly completed 42km, it’s just beautiful.”
The circuit runs from the Melbourne CBD, down St Kilda Road and along the foreshore at St Kilda and attracted over 37,185 participants in the 2019 run.
