Hongkonger’s ultimate midlife crisis: seven marathons in seven days
Hong Kong vet David Gething, who went from overweight smoker to whippet-thin winner of World Marathon Challenge, explains how he got hooked on running and why races are won mostly in the mind
As someone who loathes jogging, and would rather take a taxi than run for a bus, I’m impressed by his extraordinary achievement, but also completely mystified. Why would someone choose to put themselves through such a gruelling experience, completely unnecessarily? Gething is 41 years old. Was it, I wonder, an extreme response to a midlife crisis?
“Yes!” says the Australian, when we meet at the Hong Kong Football Club (an appropriately sporty location. His suggestion). “Twenty years ago it was a Porsche and a ponytail. These days, unrealistic sporting activities are a common response to middle age. Lots of people my age are getting into marathons, ultramarathons and triathlons, and are trying to outdo themselves with the craziness of their objectives.”
It’s starting to make more sense. “At this age, if you’re looking for new challenges, a typical focus is the desire to make yourself healthy. When you’re no longer young, you realise you can’t sit on the couch all weekend eating potato chips.”
Whippet-lean, clear-skinned and full of energy, Gething looks like he’s never seen a potato chip in his life. He assures me this is not the case.
“Before I started on this I was 35kg overweight, I smoked and I drank too much.”
