After running almost 720 kilometres between them in The Canberra Times Fun Run since 1978, 65-year-old local couple Jim and Maria White will be looking to rewrite their way into the history books at this year's event.
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Mr White will be preparing to run his 40th consecutive fun run, which is the second most in the event's history while his wife will be preparing to run her 34th, which is the most run by any female competitor.
It all started with a bet between two mates and work colleagues and which developed into the couple's passion for running.
Mr White was working as a plumber when one of his work colleagues made a bet with him that he would not be able to run up Wanniassa Hill in 20 minutes.
To his surprise not only did Mr White win that bet, he also encouraged his wife to participate in their first Canberra Times Fun Run that year. From that point onwards, the couple have not stopped running.
After being crowned as the first female and third male competitors to run 30 consecutive Canberra Times fun run's 10 years ago, the couple will be aiming to write history and scale to new heights in the event.
But it hasn't been all smooth sailing for the pair as they have had to endure physical hardship along the way.
After suffering a serious injury when he was younger, Mr White said he had only discovered some major issues with his ankle seven years ago.
"I broke my leg on a motorbike when I was 16 and that sent my leg wrong. After surgery I didn't feel anything until 2010 when it started hurting. When I found out about it, the doctor said my ankle was bone to bone arthritis, so in 2012 I got it all screwed together".
The injury setback did not slow the couple down at all, as they are still determined to participate in as many fun runs and charity runs around Australia.
In their earliest memories of the fun run they capitalised on an opportunity to dress up as multiple celebrities and movie characters to help make the experience more enjoyable for themselves and other participants.
Mr White's costumes over the years have included Borat, Pamela Anderson, Kermit the Frog and Gumby and Pokey which he and his son dressed up as one year.
With yet another significant milestone almost behind them, the couple has no plans of slowing down, having already started thinking about which records they will break next.
The Canberra Times fun run will take place on September 3. Entries now open at www.canberratimesfunrun.com.au
