Meet the R4R Runners #1
Benny A
Welcome to the first of many ‘Meet the R4R Runners’, where in this inaugural edition, we get to meet Benny A!
Benny has been a driving force with Running for Resilience, from earning local legend status on the Foreshore run, spreading the good word whenever and however he can, encouraging me to get this blog up and running, and so much more that mentioning it all would require its own appreciation post!
He’s an absolute legend and I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that my life is better for meeting him. So without any further delay, meet Benny A!
What is your name?
Ben Alexander.
Where are you from?
Canberra, but Sydney originally.
Have you always lived in Canberra?
Moved here for Uni just after the 2003 bushfires and been here ever since.
How did you first hear about R4R?
When the Dock got an email from some bloke called Matt Breen looking to start a run!
When did you first attend a R4R?
Run 1! A proud OG!
What keeps you coming back to R4R?
The people, as I struggle to exercise alone.
Do you have a R4R Personal Best? If not, what’s your 5km PB?
Not sure, but parkrun PB is 18:46
Do you prefer the winter R4Rs or the Summer R4Rs?
Both
Do you prefer the Friday or Wednesday R4R? or in other words… do you prefer beer or coffee?
Monday and Friday mornings! But I love a cold beer or a ‘Rum 4 Resilience’ post run in summer.
If you could go for a 3km/6km walk or run with 3 people alive or dead, who would you choose and why?
Dead - Steve Jobs. I’ve been using Apple products since I was 8 years old and they’ve had a profound impact on my life, so I’d love to get to know the guy behind them.
Alive - Golden State Warriors owner Chamath Palihapitiya. A super super bright guy, and I love listening to him explain how he thinks about stuff on the All-In podcast. Joe Rogan would be another.
What does resilience mean to you?
Doing what’s right, even if you don’t feel like it.
Is there a time in your life where you’ve had to rely on your ability to be resilient?
Yes, and most recently was early into lockdown when my Grandfather died suddenly, and I took my Grandmother to the hospital to say goodbye to him after 64 years of marriage, and it was by far the most humbling experience of my life.
But I’m proud to say I was able to keep it together and support Nana through it.
If you could say one thing to someone going through something tough at the moment, what would it be?
Go for a walk with a friend.
In the 2022 edition of the R4R Gift, who will win the coveted Clydesdale award 100kg and above? Jonesy, Benny A, or other?
Do you really need to ask?
Thanks, Benny!