Our People in NSW
Paul Baker - Navy's Hearty Marathoner
It takes great heart to be a marathon runner and to stride through the pain barrier over a distance of 42.2 km – just ask Paul Baker of Crows Nest, NSW.
The 42-year old Navy Reservist has three marathons to his credit and has taken aim at the New York City Marathon to raise money for the Heart Foundation, following a life-changing operation he had in 2003.
“I am running the biggest marathon in the US as a fund-raiser for the Heart Foundation because I want to pay them back,” he said.
Owing to a rare medical condition Paul’s heart raced faster than his feet ever could.
Paul suffered from Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) rapid heart rhythm which prevented him from pursuing his great love of running until he had surgery.
“SVT is a dangerous condition where the heart rate acceleration races from 60 to 200 beats per minute, before suddenly returning to normal,” he said.
“I only started running in 2005 after my life changing operation,” he said.
So far Paul has raised $6,200 for the Heart Foundation but is hoping for $20,000.
“$20,000 is a small price for me to pay to express my gratitude to such a worthy charity as the Heart Foundation,” he said.
Paul is training hard for the NY Marathon in November and plans to complete the course against 50,000 other competitors in under three-hours and thirty-minutes.
“I’m very excited by the challenge and have a 16-week training plan that will help me to meet my goal,” he said.
“My best time was three-hours and eight minutes for the Gold Coast in 2008, so I’m optimistic I can beat three-hours and thirty-minutes.”
Paul said the secret to success in New York would be the training program and a supply of energy-gels to keep his body well fuelled throughout the course.
Paul said the NYC Marathon marks his first long distance event since 2008, due to a battle with leg injuries that have now healed.
“I have so far completed three 42.2 km events, beginning with the Canberra Marathon, followed by the Gold Coast Marathon and then the Sydney Running Festival Marathon,” he said.
Paul left the Permanent Navy in 2011 to take up a position as a Navy contractor at Sydney’s Garden Island, which allows him to focus more on long distance running.
Those wishing to donate may visit:
http://2013newyorkmarathon.gofundraise.com.au/page/paulbaker1
Paul has a NYC Marathon Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/HeartFoundationChallenge2013NYCMarathon
Paul also has a YouTube clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek1v_EhlGnE