Marathon man Roger aims to take new race in his stride

Having entered 112 marathons, Roger Morrison is no stranger to physical and mental exhaustion.

That's why he's not too fazed about tackling a 15km Clive to Clifton Dash - the newest addition to the Hawke's Bay Today Country 2 Coast - a fun walk and run sponsored by Hawke's Bay Today.

"I'm a runner anyway, so I work on the basis that it's an event for me to get out and have a bit of a gallop," he says.

Keen to keep fit and stay in shape, Mr Morrison started running in his late 30s and tries to train at least three times a week. That means shoes on and out the door by 5.45am.

But it is at weekends when he really steps up his game - today he is entered in a cross country event with the Napier Harriers, tomorrow, the Hastings Half Marathon.

Surprisingly, it is the shorter tracks which take the biggest toll on his body.

"Ultimately, those distances make you suffer afterwards. You finish in a bit of a state because you have pushed a lot harder."

Running was a great way to stay fit because you could do it anywhere, he added.

"It's portable, when you go away you only have to take your shoes in a bag and you can run anywhere, anyhow you choose."

While he has a "fair idea" of the Clive to Clifton track, Mr Morrison has never run it and doesn't intend to before taking part in the race on Sunday April 28.

It follows Rotary pathways and has been added as a competitive element for runners only.

For more information see country2coast.co.nz