Vin Gasper- 700 runs

It’s a great pleasure to speak today about one of the stalwarts of our club, Vin Gasper. Vin was brought to the club by Keith Bird, his father-in-law, midway through the 1973 season. He soon made his mark, winning the last race of that season in the 7000 m. Frontmarkers at Steiglitz. The following season Vin won at Torquay over 8000 m.

1975 was a great year for Vin. He won the 6000m.at Eastern Beach and later won the under 40s 9000 m. at Moorabool which turned out to be closer to 10 km when runners took a wrong turn.

The next year Vin won the Connewarre to Ocean Grove 16 km Classic after colliding with his main rival, George Thomas on the Barwon Heads Bridge.

In 1977, Vin became the club’s press correspondent, writing interesting articles for the Geelong News, a review of the previous Sunday’s race on Tuesday and a preview of the upcoming race in the Friday’s edition. That year he also joined the Committee, the first of many stints.

In 1978 Vin was joint handicapper as well as being Junior Vice President. His next win came in the 6.5km Winners division at Landy Field in 1983. This was after he made a spirited recovery from the then little known chronic fatigue syndrome which robbed him of one whole season.

In 1984 Vin won his second Ocean Grove Classic. This prompted Bob Fowler on Presentation Night to label him a king among peasants which embarrassed modest Vin greatly.

Vin’s liking for the longer distances consolidated as he matured. His next five wins were the 1987 Ocean Grove Top 40 15 km, the 1992 Queen’s Park 14km, the 1995 Pt Henry 20km and the Lara 10 mile in years 2000 and 2004.

Vin won the backmarkers section of the sealed series 10km at St Leonards in 2005. He also won the Sealed Series in 2000. Last year he won the VCCL Two Bridges 8km in Melbourne.

In 2001 at the Marcus Oldham 8 km Vin found himself in an awkward position when he stumbled and was straddled across an electric fence- ouch! It is believed the scars have now faded.

As well as being on the General Committee, Vin has served on the Race Committee, been a Protest Coordinator and has set up many courses over the past 37 years. He has twice been awarded the season’s Most Impressive Trophy.

Vin is always willing to provide welcoming advice to new runners in a friendly, easy going manner. It is little surprise to add that Life Membership was bestowed on Vin in 2001 in recognition of his service to the club.

Well done, Vin. It is a great honor to present you with this 700 run badge and may you continue on to 800 runs and beyond.