Theo de Hoog is set for his 40th Rotorua Marathon
18 November 2021
Theo de Hoog, who is set for his 40th Rotorua Marathon appearance next May, believes his proudest legacy has been inspiring his family to also compete in the iconic race.
The 85-year-old West Aucklander is set to achieve the impressive milestone on May 7 next year and will do so with his son-in-law Dave Nicholson and potentially another five family members also taking to the start line.
Born in Indonesia to Dutch parents Theo, who as a child lived for three-and-a-half years in a concentration camp run by the Japanese Army during the Second World War, first entered the Rotorua Marathon in 1979.
Taken by the beautiful scenery and unmatchable “community spirit” he has barely missed a race since.
But in more recent times the marathon veteran has helped play a part in inspiring his son-in-law Dave, his wife, Marie, his daughter, Ingrid, and grandchildren – Rosemary and Grace plus Grace’s husband, Luke – to compete in the Rotorua Marathon.
“It was nice as a family for so many of us to run the race earlier this year and hopefully do so again in next year’s race,” explains Theo, a retired former TV repair worker.
Left to right - Luke and Grace Clark, David and Ingrid Nicholson, Mari and Theo de Hoog, Rosemary Nicholson.
Dave, 54, a fellow West Aucklander has entered the marathon and admits he has enormous respect for his father-in-law.
“Theo has had an incredible life and been through so much, but mentally he’s the toughest man I know,” he explains.
“He inspired me to get into running and since then I’ve run three Rotorua Marathons. We love our family time in Rotorua for the marathon, we make a real weekend of it. There is an awesome spirit down there.”
Theo, who has lived in New Zealand since he was age 19 is immensely proud to be lining up for his 40th Rotorua Marathon.
Training once a week around a large West Auckland cemetery in preparation for Rotorua he is realistic about what he can achieve in his 40th appearance.
“I just want to be able to finish and then have a nice dinner in Rotorua with my family,” he says.
Theo de Hoog is set for his 40th Rotorua Marathon
