John KENNEDY
John joined Collingwood Harriers in the summer of 1950, transferring from the soon to disband Y.C.W. Athletic Club.
In his early seasons with his new Club John competed mainly in the shorter events, 100 to 400 yards, mainly in A Grade.
He was made track captain and did a deal of coaching with the sprinters over the years 1952-1956.
A winter training program was introduced for the track athletes in 1953/54.
John took a hiatus from Collingwood after getting married, to build his house through the period of 1957/61.
With his good mate Eddie Lynn, John rejoined in 1961 and moved up to the ‘longer’ distances of 880 yards to the mile, again in the top grade! John also started to participate in the winter cross-country season.
This new phase in his athletic career saw John run in the black and white until the 1969 season when a badly torn muscle made the increased responsibilities being experienced with his teaching career a less painful option.
John did quite a bit of (snow) skiing in subsequent years, which was helped by living a little closer to the snowfields at Alexandra.
John shifted back to Melbourne in the early 2000s and has again become a regular attendee at our reunions.
September 2013