Trevor's pumped for City to Surf | Canterbury Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Canterbury

Pavement pounding pensioner Trevor Garlick can't wait until Sunday, March 25 ? and The Star City to Surf. The 71-year-old had never missed a City to Surf until two years ago.

However, he's missed the last two through nursing a sick friend. She died soon after last year's run. Mr Garlick has a photo of himself running in the first City to Surf in 1975.

It used to go down Pages Rd, through New Brighton to North Beach, and then back to Queen Elizabeth II Park then, he recalls.

He loves being among all the people who take part in the South Island's biggest fun run.

"Pressure is not on you, and that's the best part," he said. "You can go at your own pace and enjoy it." However, Mr Garlick's pace is pretty hot for a septuagenarian.

"I'm doing that sort of thing most of the time, so I don't really have to build up for the City to Surf," he said.

"Every day I go out for a few miles in the morning and again at night. I mostly jog in the morning, and at night I walk because I have had tea, even though I go out a couple of hours afterwards.

"It's become part of my life. It's the way it's always been."

When he was young, Mr Garlick was a keen track cyclist, but after being in a huge pile-up at English Park decided to ride just for enjoyment.

During more than 20 years with the old Drainage Board doing maintenance and river weed cutting, he used to regularly bike from town to Brooklands and Spencerville. He still has three sports bikes he gets out on quite often.

Unlike many city to surfers half or a quarter his age, Mr Garlick probably won't stop at the finish at the stadium on March 25. He usually turns around and walks back to his home in the city.