- Cesar DeOliveira, an 88-year-old from Edgemead, remains active by running 10 km races and participating in over 200 Park Runs.
- He started running at the age of 81 and now enjoys competing in various races and meeting new people through running clubs and walking groups.
- Cesar’s son, Chris, proudly supports his father and hopes to see him continue inspiring others by staying active into his 90s.
For most senior citizens, getting old means knitting, playing bowls, golf, and having mid-morning tea and biscuits. For one senior from Edgemead though, Cesar DeOliveira, it means being and staying active, it means being able to run 10 km without effort.
Up until recently he took part in the Top Form 10 km held at Turfhall Park Sports Stadium in Lansdowne on Sunday 30 June.
Chris DeOliveira, his son, says it’s an honour to run with his father.
Chris said his father started running at the age of 81, less than a decade ago, and that he started out doing Park Runs.
“He has done over 200 Park Runs. We got him to join the Edgemead Running Club so that he could join us for races. He normally just does 10 km races. He wants to do one 21 km race, but I am a little reluctant in him doing that,” Chris said recently.
Making friends
Chris says his father also loves meeting new people.
“He walks on Monday and Wednesday evening with the Bothasig Residents Association walking group. On Tuesdays he has time trials at the running club. On Thursday he has cross-country. Saturday, he does Park Runs. He still makes time to run races. He has done 11 races this season. With all these groups he has made many friends who he can encourage to come out and join him for walks and runs.”
He says his father runs with the seniors during the race events.
says Chris.
