Pte Tony Kleiner, 6RAR, makes it across the finish line in first place for the 20th consecutive time. Photos by WO2 Graham McBean, 7 Bde

Pat Carroll, left, presents the winner’s trophy to Pte Tony Kleiner.

By WO2 Graham McBean

A STRUGGLE of wills and fitness in the home straight highlighted an extraordinary military sporting record as 6RAR’s renowned Pte Tony Kleiner won his 20th consecutive victory in the battalion’s annual cross country.

Pte Kleiner finished the 7.5km track over Enoggera Hill in just 28 minutes and 26 seconds – a split second in front of second place getter WO2 Richard Quirk.

Known universally as Pappy, the Queensland and Australian long-distance representative said he had no immediate plans to stop training, but that he could now retire happily with the milestone in place.

“I had a back operation two years ago and the last couple of years have been tough,” Pte Kleiner said.

“Nothing is a sure thing any more and I have really got to work for it – and turning 40 doesn’t help things either.”

Pte Kleiner joined 6RAR in 1984, when Brig Adrian D’Hage (now retired) was CO, and made an early career decision to pursue his passion for running as far as he could within the military.

He said he was grateful for the assistance the battalion had extended to him over the past 20 years, which provided the avenue to pursue his running career while making 6RAR his home along the way.

Champion Australian marathon representative Pat Carroll, one of only five Australians to post a sub two-hour, 10-minute full marathon, was invited to start the race and presented the winner’s trophy to Pte Kleiner.

Event PTI Cpl Wayne Heath said the race almost did slip away from Pte Kleiner after WO2 Quirk opened a sizeable lead up Heartbreak Hill.

Cpl Heath said a late surge by Pte Kleiner, which featured a three-minute and 20 second burst for the last 1200m, brought him and WO2 Quirk into the home stretch clash and established a record that is unlikely to be broken.

“For one person to win a race 20 years in a row is a fantastic achievement,” Cpl Heath said.

“Being available to run injury free, not suffering from the flu and not on course or deployment in itself is amazing.”

Capt Gwilym Leech finished third in 31 minutes, 32 seconds and Delta Coy won the newly named “Tony Kleiner” company trophy.

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