You only get out what you put in.
This is the motto Dave Macpherson lives by, runs by and plays by.
The Scone father of three is a running fanatic and is the middle stages of his life, but he could still run rings around many half his age.
Macpherson was awarded the 2012 Scone Sportstar of the Year on Australia Day recognising his talents being the current State Age Champion for the NSW long course cross country, NSW short course cross country and the NSW 1500 metre champion.
Being vice president of the Scone Athletics Club, Macpherson is also heavily involved and competes in carnivals as much as possible.
He is the current record holder for the 800 metres, 1500 metres and the 3000 metres in his age division in Scone.
Macpherson plays and referees touch football and referees soccer, and on the weekend he travelled with Scone children to a touch football carnival at Nelson Bay to referee.
Like any country youngster, Macpherson played a lot of sport as a child including rugby union and rugby league.
His passion for running started early making his younger sister chase him around the house.
After playing Australian Football League in Victoria for five years and football for various years, it wasn’t until about three years ago that he really embraced running again.
Motivated by his children he started training for cross country with them.
His first taste back in the competition was at the NSW Athletics 3000 metre Winter Club Meet in Newcastle, which he said was a huge wake up call and spurred his serious training into motion.
Macpherson said this was when he started running for himself.
He said he loves to compete and race, but the health benefits are wonderful.
“I feel well all the time and I never get sick.
“The harder you train the better you go, but you’ve got to push your body past that aerobic level,” he said.
Macpherson trains almost every day with at least one day where he runs more than 20 kilometres and one rest day.
He is currently preparing for the NSW Athletics Masters Championships at Bankstown in three weeks where he will compete in the 1500 metre race.
Macpherson said he plans to keep running as long as his body holds out as he believes he will have the desire to compete for a long time.
“A goal for this year is to win the father and son category at the City2Surf,” he said.
Macpherson said it was nice to be recognised with the sports award, but pretty humbling.
“I just hope I can inspire younger children to compete.”
He said Scone athlete, Nicky Western, had been a huge inspiration to him.
“Nicky is just a no nonsense person, she gets in and trains and races her heart out,” he said.
“She always gives 110 per cent in everything she does.”
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