Read about David Gibson's incredible journey from the couch to World championship medals!
- Don Hale
- 9 hours ago
- 4 min read
One thing leads to another:
From the couch to World Championship Silver medals
A special and personal journey by Welsh Master veteran David Gibson
In 2014 at the age of 62, I thought that I was reasonably fit through sailing, swimming, cycling and walking. However, a desk job and driving over 30,000 miles a year meant my legs struggled with any running over half a mile.
With support from my son and daughter and with the 2012 London Olympics slogan ‘Inspire a Generation’ in mind, I embarked upon ‘Couch to 5k’ and did what so many do - a Parkrun in Hove, whilst they were there for the Brighton Marathon. There was no way I could realise then where this would lead.
Like so many others, the 5k led to a 10k, which led to a half Marathon and then a full Marathon at Manchester in 2015. Despite the Manchester results being binned because the course was too short, I secured a ‘Good for Age’ entry in the London Marathon the following year. Then after another Marathon at the Great Welsh, I thought that was enough.
On turning 70, I relented - deciding to do one last Marathon on a flat, fast course. I chose Dresden in Saxony (not that flat!) and thoroughly enjoyed the event. I was first M70 by about an hour - the organisers were a bit taken aback! Anyway, I decided I had now run enough Marathons…
Well, there is a saying ‘never say never’ and in 2024 my daughter Stephanie Gibson (also a Welsh Master) qualified for a Championship place at the London Marathon, and I just felt that I had to run it too! The problem was that I needed a stomach hernia operation and after several delays, that was done in early January. This resulted in a training plan of just eleven weeks, including the taper. Race day came and not knowing what to expect I went out to simply enjoy it.
In perfect conditions, both of us achieved PBs, with my result of 3:13 winning the M70 Gold Medal, plus a M70 Welsh Marathon record. We were both in tears meeting after the finish in Horse Guards Parade!
This rather long tale then continues! We decided to repeat London in 2025. In much warmer conditions, I struggled with cramp in the later stages but hung on to finish with the M70 Silver medal. Later that year, I represented Great Britain in the Half Marathon at the Masters World Championships in Gothenburg. Following a bad stomach during the preceding fortnight, the hilly course proved a challenge. I achieved a M70 fourth place, but this was good enough to help secure the GB team a World Championships M70 Silver Medal!
Stephanie wanted to try for a new Marathon PB, so off to Berlin we went, but sadly the 27 degrees heat put that out of reach. In very tough conditions, I struggled to the finish line to secure another World Major M70 Silver medal.
Success at London in 2024 enabled invitations for us both to the 2025 Age Group World Marathon Championships in New York. I just had to do that! After agreeing to pay for Stephanie’s trip, the whole family crossed over the ‘pond’ for what was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime occasion.
After a very early start (made easier by still being conditioned to UK time) we loved the sight of four NYPD helicopters flying low overhead and hearing Frank Sinatra’s ‘New York’ at the start line! The weather was perfect, and after being paced by Stephanie for 26.2 miles, I finished in 3:17 on what is considered one of the hardest World Majors’ courses. The result was a very emotional World Championship Silver Medal! Surely this would be the peak of my running career?
Well, it was not the end of the story! I had qualified to compete in the 2026 Age Group World Marathon Championships in the World Majors candidate city of Cape Town - something I could not turn down. I was also selected to run for Welsh Masters in the Marathon international at Manchester, just five weeks before Cape Town. Could I do both?
‘Nothing ventured, nothing gained’ and all that.
A carefully judged race in Manchester resulted in the M70 Gold for Wales. The following five weeks leading up to Cape Town were difficult to juggle both recovery and training-wise. I hoped for the best but was inwardly terrified! Had I committed to too much?
In my younger days, I lived and worked in South Africa. Africa gets under the skin and despite an eleven-hour overnight flight, it was lovely to be back again. At the EXPO, I was shocked to discover that I was the second fastest M70 qualifier and the pressure went into overload! This was compounded by seeking sponsorship for the charity ‘Save the Children’. Preparing for the race in the dark on the Beach Road front hardly settled the nerves but I had not done all the training and travel without trying for a reasonable result.
To the sounds of Asimbonanga by Johnny Clegg and Africa by Toto in the pen, the hairs stood up on the back of the neck. This race was clearly the most culturally diverse that I have experienced and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It had similar elevation gains to New York but having to run past the finish and then loop back for four miles was mentally tough.
The weather was good on the day, though it did get warm towards the end. The finish on the famous blue carpet gave me a time of 3:18, which I did not think was too bad for a 74-year-old on that course. I returned to my accommodation, checked the results and was in disbelief to discover another M70 World Championship Silver medal! The second in just seven months and at the end of an amazing programme of five big Marathons in just 13 months.
I am so proud to be a Welsh Master and a member of Tri Hard Harriers club whose members have provided such support, encouragement and fun! From the couch twelve years ago, am I now an athlete? And where do I go from here?
