“To break the (Australian) record requires an athlete with a number of very specific attributes. Firstly, they need to have the right physiology and ability. Secondly, they need to avoid injuries. And thirdly, they need to be tough and committed enough to go overseas and race like buggery. Cross-country, road races and European races. A lot of hard racing is vital.” – Rob de Castella
Rob’s training and invaluable insights into running the marathon can be found in the book below.
Profile
- Date of birth: February 27th, 1957, Australia
- Former World record holder for the marathon with a time of 2:08:18
- 1983 World championship gold medal for the marathon
- 1982 and 1986 Commonwealth Games gold medal for the marathon
- 1977 – won the Sydney City to Surf in 41′ 12″
- 1979 – won the Victorian Championship in 2h 14’44” and the Australian marathon title in 2h 13’23”
- 1980 – 10th in the 1980 Summer Olympics marathon in Moscow, 2h 14’31”; 8th at the Fukuoka Marathon in 2h 10’44”
- 1981 – won the Fukuoka Marathon in 2h 08’18” (world record from 1981 to 1984)
- 1981 – won and set fastest time of 40’08” in City to Surf, Sydney. (this time bettered in 1991)
- 1982 – won the 1982 Commonwealth Games marathon in Brisbane in 2h 09’18”
- 1983 – won the Rotterdam Marathon in 2h 08’37”
- 1983 – won the 1983 World Championships in Athletics marathon in Helsinki in 2h 10’03”
- 1984 – 5th in the Olympic Marathon in Los Angeles
- 1984 – 3rd in the Chicago Marathon in 2h 09’09”
- 1985 – 3rd in the Chicago Marathon in 2h 08’48”
- 1986 – won the 1986 Commonwealth Games marathon in Edinburgh in 2h 10’15”
- 1986 – won the Boston marathon in 2h 07’51” (personal best)
- 1987 – won the Great North Run in 1h 02’04”
- 1988 – 4th in the Tokyo International Marathon in 2h 08’49”
- 1988 – 8th in the 1988 Summer Olympics marathon in Seoul
- 1990 – 13th in the 1990 Commonwealth Games marathon
- 1991 – won the Rotterdam Marathon in 2h 09’42”
- 1992 – finished 26th in Olympic Marathon, Barcelona
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