More than half a century after first tackling the famous course, 76-year-old Ōpōtiki runner James Crosswell returned to the start line of the 2026 Red Stag Rotorua Marathon with the same determination that carried him around Lake Rotorua back in 1972.

This year’s event on May 2 was Crosswell’s 49th marathon, and, remarkably, he bettered his previous time by 15 minutes – a feat many runners decades younger would struggle to match.

Running alongside him in Rotorua was fellow Ōpōtiki runner Tina Pointon, 68, who completed her 35th marathon.

For Crosswell, this year’s marathon was about far more than personal achievement.

Inspired by the words of a young speaker living with low vision, he decided to dedicate his run to raising funds and awareness for Blind Low Vision NZ.

At only 12, Robert Hunt was the top Lions youth speechmaker in New Zealand.

“I heard Robert speak at a Lions convention recently,” he said.

“He was the top Lions speechmaker in New Zealand and lives with low vision. When meeting people, he doesn’t judge a book by its cover.

“He told us you can only judge a person on who they are, not how they look.

“I found the message behind his speech very inspiring, so I sat down with Lions Club district governor Lou Fielder and decided to use my marathon run to raise money for Blind Low Vision NZ.”

Crosswell said the support from the Lions movement had been overwhelming.

“The Lions Clubs here in Ōpōtiki and across our district have come together to sponsor my run,” he said.

“I might be the one lacing up my shoes, but this is a true team effort.”

The cause is an important one. Around 190,000 New Zealanders are living with low vision, while it costs approximately $100,000 to train a single guide dog. Those guide dogs provide mobility, companionship, confidence, safety and independence for people navigating daily life with impaired sight.

Pointon, a member of the Survivors Marathon Club, has become a passionate advocate for running and healthy living. She encourages others to “take that first step”.

“It is the best marathon in the country and I’ve done a few now,” Pointon said.

“If you want to do a marathon, do the Rotorua one.”

While she describes herself as sporty throughout her life, distance running did not come naturally at first.

“I was always very sporty but that is different to running.

“I had to start small and learn how to run,” she said.

“I cannot encourage anyone enough to give it a go. It makes you feel so healthy. I gave up smoking for it.

“My kids were surprised when I first started, but I hope it can inspire them to believe they can do anything.”

Both runners say one of the biggest misconceptions about fitness is that people believe they need to become elite athletes overnight.

Instead, they encourage realistic goals and consistency, pointing to the growing popularity of hybrid running, combining periods of running and walking, as an accessible option for all ages and fitness levels.

Crosswell, who had a pacemaker fitted six years ago, said listening to your body was important, but so was continuing to move.

“If you don’t see the benefits of regular exercise, I feel sorry for you,” he said.

“It can help you with everything else in your life.”

His journey from a first Rotorua Marathon in 1972 to his 49th marathon in 2026 is a testament to endurance, resilience and purpose.

For both runners, the finish line in Rotorua was not the end of the road – simply another milestone in lives shaped by perseverance, community spirit and the belief that it is never too late to keep moving forward.