Trevor Vincent and his ‘Run Monash’ running group
With 57 years of running experience, and a Commonwealth Games Gold medal under his belt, Trevor Vincent has dedicated his life to running – and he shares his wealth of knowledge with a motley crew of runners every Tuesday evening. BLAIR MORTON meets him.
I can see my breath. My hands are stiff with the sting of the cold. The gravel crushes under my feet as I walk along the stoned path. The grass is dewy, and it makes my shoes damp.
Winter is getting into full swing in Melbourne, and while many of us board up our houses and start the fire, the Run Monash group are commencing training – some for the Athletics Victoria winter Cross Country season, others for personal improvement.
Tucked away under the gleaming floodlights of the main football oval, in a hidden pocket of the Monash Clayton campus, the group assemble in what seems an attempt at anonymity; if not full blown secrecy.
Runners descend the stairs at intervals, usually singularly, sometimes in small groups, to the baseball pitch which forms their makeshift running track.
From a huge variety of lives and backgrounds, they assemble to run.
Training night Slideshow Blair Morton on Vimeo.
Their leader is not a young, spritely, boot-camp style instructor, but rather Trevor Vincent.
A man who embodies the image of the Australian amateur runner. Humble, hardworking, friendly, enthusiastic, and incredibly down to earth.
He’s been a part of the Glen Huntly Athletics Club for the entirety of his adult life – this will be his 57th year involved.
He represented Australia at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics over the 3000m Steeplechase; and won Gold in the same event at the 1962 Commonwealth Games in Perth. Certainly no slouch.
Trev In action in 1962 at Perth. He can be seen racing in and winning the 3000m Steeplechase from 0:45 – 1:20 in the clip. Credit –Rob Donkersloot.
While the group trains, Trev walks laps around the track. He gives tips on technique, calles out times for sets, and offers general encouragement.
While he’s gone, I get chatting to Peter Bence, Who’s known Trev since they were both part of the HSV 7 ‘World of Sport’ catalogue in the 1980s.
Pete worked in production, while Trev appeared occasionally as the athletics reporter.
A bond formed that is certainly still evident tonight.
“We call him Mr. Glen Huntly” Pete tells me. “He’s been doing this for as long as anyone can remember, and without him this wouldn’t exist”
Pete reminds me that Trev is, as of Sunday, 75 – although he doesn’t look near it – and tells me about how the Glen Huntly team surprised him with a cake for his birthday at a race over the weekend.
“Trev could hardly speak after they sang him happy birthday, he was that emotional”.
I was somewhat surprised, as only moments before hand, while the group crammed into the tiny 1970s era structure that is officially home of the Monash Uni Baseball club, they presented Trev with another birthday card, as most of them were absent from the race on saturday. It is signed by everyone present.
The location of the Monash Uni Baseball Club, where the group train
Clearly everyone involved truly appreciates Trev, as is shown by their effort to congratulate him on his milestone personally.
It is obviously not something Trev expected to happen and he is visibly warmed by the gesture. He is glowing, everyone here is. Even me.
In this tiny, old, fairly run-down room, under the shadows of Monash University, apparently hidden from the outside world, where you might expect the mood to be low; is intoxicatingly radiant.
There is a real sense of steadfastness and strength within the group. It’s hard for me to put my finger on, but there is something about this essentially random mix of people, from all walks of life – professors to undergrads, 18 to 75, and evenly halved into men and women – that oozes with an uber-positive, close-knight vibe.
Maybe its the location, tucked under the imposing Monash Clayton campus. Maybe it’s the dark. Maybe it’s the cold. Or maybe its just the truth.
Trev watches over the training session
“Anyway” Trev concludes as he clasps his hands together “it’s time to start, and tonight we’re doing 200s”.
Trev briefly explains the session, and the group spills out to warm up and commence their training.
As the group run laps around the outfield of the baseball pitch, marked with cones that indicate effort and jog sections, Trev rolls around enthusiastically offering advice on technique and yelling out times.
Everyone here clearly appreciates Trev. Lots. They look up to him, and respect him and his opinion immensely.
Mark Chew, who joined in 2010 said that Trevor was “very welcoming when I came down” and that he “went out of his way to even help me find the place”. A testament to the genuine character of Trev.
On their way out, literally everyone I see says goodbye to him, and many ask him advice about training for the rest of the week. Trev knows all their names, and gives specific feedback.
By 7pm, everyone is leaving – sweaty, tired, revitalised and de-stressed.
They will all reassume their every day identities tomorrow, until they return next Tuesday to do it all again – and if they’re leaving even half as inspirited as I am – I can understand why they come back.
blairwmorton 