Q&A: Putting years of experience to good use

While often taken for granted (no pun intended Grant) it is Grant Baker's behind-the-scenes activities over many years that have made the biggest contribution to Southland running.

Sport can only survive with the help of enthusiastic volunteers like Grant Baker.

Sporting accomplishments are not always on the track, field or pitch. Many are unseen or unnoticed.

Grant Baker’s achievements in running are a good example.

Grant was a handy club-level runner a few years ago and by his own admission never set the world on fire, although a 74-minute half and 1.46 marathon are not to be sneezed at. He was at first a long jumper way back in his school days, but running is where he has made his mark, although originally, he ran just to get fit for football.

While often taken for granted (no pun intended Grant) it is his behind-the-scenes activities over many years that have made the biggest contribution to Southland running.

He has served on the Southland harrier Committee for over 30 years, helped many with advice gained from years of experience (100 or so half marathons, 8 full marathons, 5 Keplers) but come the weekend he is usually found making it possible for Southland runners to indulge in their sport, usually at the expense of his own running.

Just about every Saturday over winter he is measuring, setting out and marking the day’s crosscountry course then often helps officiate the event.

His own running is not completely ignored, however. When course setting out and officiating commitments interfere with his own running, you’ll usually find him at the Saturday morning Parkrun. Not quite the same as the challenge of crosscountry racing, but at least it’s a run for the St Pauls harrier.

Why this long-term commitment to Southland harrier running? We asked him.

What got you started?

I run my first half marathon from Wrights Bush to Invercargill in 1991 I had been told I needed to get fitter to play senior soccer so was going to do some half marathon over summer.

You have advised many runners. What is your coaching philosophy?

To try to get the best out of an athlete or help complete a goal that they have set.

How long have you been doing this?

I have been giving help and advice based on my own experience as an athlete for around last five years.

What has been your highlight or highlights of your involvement?

Seeing someone the event they have been training for & achieving their personal goal especially if they never thought they could ever do.

Where do you see yourself in the sport in a few years’ time?

Still wish to keep running myself but am always happy to help someone out but might do more if unable to run anymore.

What is your background, experience and qualification in coaching? 

I have a lot of miles under my feet – I learned a lot from experience – experience I can pass on.

What do you when you’re not coaching or helping?

I don’t do a lot of coaching but am still a keen runner and starting to run a bit better after a couple of years of injuries. Have been a committee member at the club level and harrier level for about the last 30 years and have enjoyed helping to organise cross country and road races.

Who has been important influences? 

My parents and rest of my family have always been big on been helpers in the community.

In my running it has been Sid Cummings, as when I started I did a lot of my long Sunday runs with Sid and group of guys who were great fun and great support.

What is your most cherished running memory?

Doing the sister city half in Japan in 1998 and being looked after like a king while there.

Another memory is being dead last in the 1997 road champs and again in the 1998 cross country champs, but amazingly have won the Gore handicap cross country twice.

Athletics, as with most sports, can only survive with the help of enthusiastic volunteers. With more Grant Bakers.