Infamous fugitive Christopher Skase made the paper this day in 1994 for completing The Canberra Times' Family Fun Run in a wheelchair and oxygen mask.
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The fake Skase raced in a wheelchair pushed and tended by three blond, but suspiciously burly and masculine, nurses.
Despite the nurses' athleticism, "Mr Skase" did not get over the line first. The group did win the "fun" section.
The first runners across the line were Gerard Ryan and Gerard Barrett, who won while holding hands.
They agreed at the half-way mark of the 10 kilometre race to cross together. They took 31 minutes and 13 seconds. Third was Steve Beaumont, in 32 minutes and 17 seconds.
The first woman across the line was Kathy Southgate, taking 37 minutes and 27 seconds to finish.
Second was Fiona Jorgensen in 37 minutes, 57 seconds, while third was Elaine Cooper in 38 minutes, 12 seconds.
The first wheelchair athlete to finish, also the first contestant to cross the line, was Peter Thomson, who was home in 28 minutes and 39 seconds.
The race was started by Canberra Cannons star Fred Cofield. He said later that his "sheer authoritarian presence" had awed the athletes into orderliness.
The first clergyman and the first man in pink shorts all finished unnoticed, but there was no mistaking the first failed tycoon to finish, "Mr Skase".
Lanie Tindale
I am City reporter at The Canberra Times. I previously covered health for the masthead, and was a trainee before that. I have written on courts, federal politics, breaking news, features and opinion. lanie.tindale@canberratimes.com.au.
I am City reporter at The Canberra Times. I previously covered health for the masthead, and was a trainee before that. I have written on courts, federal politics, breaking news, features and opinion. lanie.tindale@canberratimes.com.au.
