Meet the R4R Runners #30

Ellie Tonkin

Welcome to the Dirty 30th of the Meet the R4R Runners. This week we get to meet a great lady by the name of Ellie. She’s been running with R4R for some time now and is one of those crazy souls who does extras beforehand.

She’s also one of those people you look forward to saying hello to each run and she’s always willing to talk to newcomers, helping to add that friendly vibe that R4R has. It’s a pleasure to have Ellie answer the Rags questions and I’m looking forward to her answers!

What is your name? 

Ellie Tonkin

Where are you from?

Cootamundra, but have spent the majority of my life in Canberra.

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

City benefits, with country town living.

Having my family close by.

Having a career I like.

Being close to the coast and Sydney.

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

My cousin, who was part of another running group, told me about it. 

Late 2019 / early 2020.

What's your favourite thing about R4R?

Being around people who are like minded - and hold the same values as me - and of course, people you can always have a chat and a laugh with.

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

A pub crawl would be good! Some social activities on a weekend would also be good - perhaps a bbq when the weather gets warmer.

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

Never and I don't plan to at this stage.

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

I'm doing the Bridge to Brisbane in August - and the Stromlo 10 in November.

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

1, Melissa Breen 

2, Steve Young (my old swim coach)

3, Eddy Jaku (the Happiest Man on Earth)

What does resilience mean to you?

Resilience to me is if you fall down, you get straight back up again and have another go.

Resilience also means staying positive and maintaining a sense of humour.

I have learnt this from my personal experiences, my family and friends and from the great people at R4R. 

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

Being epileptic and going in and out of hospitals as a child has taught me if you just keep being yourself, you will succeed in life. 

Being a former national swimmer and doing the long hours in and out of the pool has taught me not just to be resilient, but to just keep going amidst all that life throws up at you.

After losing my swim coach to a brain tumour 8 years ago, I lost my passion for swimming and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Finding the R4R community and a love for running has enhanced my life and I'm so glad to be a part of it all.

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)?

Lili M and Andrew P

Fantastic, Ellie! Thank you.