Meet the R4R Runners #20

Simmo

Welcome to the 20th edition of the Meet the R4R Runners and apologies for the delay! The wait is well worth it this week, as we get to meet a man who runs all three R4R time slots, every week… rain, hail or shine.

Simmo is a fellow David Goggins admirer but in general, he’s a fantastic bloke who you look forward to seeing every run. R4R is incredibly lucky to have someone like Simmo, a pillar of consistency and inclusiveness, who without his involvement, R4R would be a lesser form of itself.

So without further ado, let’s meet Simmo!

What is your name? 

Jack aka Simmo

Where are you from?

Canberra - Born and bred

What's your favourite thing about Canberra? (apart from R4R obviously)

Apart from R4R it would have how close we are to the beach and the mountains. You can’t beat city living in the bush!

How did you hear about R4R and when did you first attend?

First heard of R4R through Benny A and the mighty Uni Norths Owls. My first R4R cap was on the 1st birthday in December 2020 - feels like yesterday

What's your favourite thing about R4R?

The community! I’ve met and made some good friends along the way. But also the beer at the end! 

Is there anything you'd like to see R4R do? 

Event runs are always good - The Olympic run last year was a goodie and Lockdown Challenge kept people in good spirits

Have you ever run a marathon before? If so, how'd you go? 

Not yet, but they are coming 

Are you planning on taking part in any races or events soon?

Got a few in the calendar like Snowies Halfa, Canberra Mara and hopefully the Melbourne Mara but the big event is the UTA100 in May

Which three people (alive or dead) would you like to run 6km with?

1- My old man - He likes to ride along with me on my reco runs but maybe I can get him to run one time

2- Eliud Kipchoge - The king of running! He can check my running form and give me some training tips

3- David Goggins - The goat! Stay Hard!

What does resilience mean to you?

I’ve thought about this for a while now after reading previous people answers but I think David Goggins’ motto of ’Stay Hard’ hits home hardest for me. Life can really throw some shit at you along the way but if you can just take it in your stride, learn from it, embrace it and ‘Just keep moving’ and ‘Stay Hard’ then you can get out of the darkest of places.

When you look back on the hardest moment/s in your life, is there anything you wish you could have told yourself? 

I can’t think of any times to be specific but I know the best advice that I take with me is you are never alone. Reach out for help. It might seem hard to do but once you’ve done it you’ve crossed the hardest step of the process. People are always there for you and have been through something similar and can and will be there to pick you up.

We've stopped the count on Benny A vs. Jonesy... So, who do you think takes out the R4R gift this year (both male and female)?

Just add another vote to the Jonesy camp anyways! But I reckon either Liam O’Rorke or Johnny Hulin in the men’s and then Lil Mooney to go back to back or maybe a dark horse like Annabel Roden and Tiff McCormack in the ladies. It’s anyone’s race!

Ahh the good old sympathy vote! Thanks, Simmo.