For those of you who don't know me (...and there aren't that many ed.), my name is Arthur Williams. I attended the college from 1974-79, and my claim to fame might be that I was the last student to be still wearing the blue blazer, as my mother would say, you’ll grow into it!

I was an active footballer and tourist for the old boys up until emigrating to Australia in 1996. Since that time, I’ve lived mainly in Melbourne but also in Auckland NZ for 4 years, I have worked in every capital city in Australia and NZ and have enjoyed a career in construction over that time.

Melbourne’s claim to fame, other than the mighty MCG cricket ground, is that we were the most locked down city in the world during the covid-19 pandemic, during which time we were permitted to exercise outdoors for no more than one hour per day within a 5K radius from home, hence my late in life taking up running.

I have completed the Melbourne marathon three times and recently ran the Gold Coast marathon. I’m not setting any land speed records but I have achieved qualifying age group times for the London Marathon, however entering the ballot for the London Marathon is a whole other story, harder to get into than the Bon Bonne on a Saturday night!

Which brings me to this year, as you know, my brother Brendan started a charity, Building Heroes many years ago and I have followed with interest from afar the good work that they do.

The opportunity to run the marathon back in my old stomping ground in front of family and friends and for a good cause was too good to pass up so I have enrolled to raise as much money as I can for Building Heroes.

I very much appreciate the opportunity to share this story, some old boys are aware and have already sponsored me, (you know who you are) but I can only ask that if anyone else was kind enough to donate, I can promise this: I will run the course in true COXA style and spirit.

As an aside, the first time I ran cross country at Richardson Evans, I came second last, narrowly beating Tommy Cauneen, who stopped for a ciggie, I’ve come a long way since then!

Cheers

Arthur