1980 Olympic Tyres Marathon Prince's Park, Melbourne

Born in 1936, Margaret Smith was in her forties and very much a late starter to distance running when she and husband Neville found their way down to the old “Tally-Ho” businessmen’s running group in the late seventies.  Meeting two mornings a week behind the Nunawading pool in suburban Melbourne, the female “intruder” was soon showing all a clean pair of heels and in no time was tackling marathons.  The 1979 Melbourne Marathon produced a 3:24 with a 3:07 in 1980.  Only weeks later, at the old “Olympic Tyres” marathon at Melbourne’s Princes Park, she cracked her desired goal of three hours by chasing the likes of Rolet De Castella [Deek’s Father] all the way to the finish in 2:58:50.  At 45 years of age, Margaret’s twelfth marathon was to be her last as the lure of the world of ultras proved impossible to resist.

Tracking the early days of Margaret’s career from an era prior to Cliff Young’s stunning Westfield win proved difficult.  A female runner at a time when ultramarathon races were still virtually unknown was an oddity to say the least back in 1982.  Lining up for the more difficult “up” run at the old Sydney to Wollongong 50 miler, Margaret stunned most of the men by finishing in 7:52:01.  I’ve been unable to uncover any results from the ensuing 18 months but speaking with a number of her old running friends seemed to confirm that the diminutive Surrey Hills housewife and mother-of-five was regularly matching it with the best men of the time.

The name Margaret Smith shook the international ultra scene in April 1984 at the old Manly 100 Mile Track Race in suburban Sydney.  Producing a performance of 16:01:43 on the circular grass track, Margaret had successfully thrust herself into the elite handful of female ultra runners in the world. 

In September 1984, a one-off 100km road race on a 500 metre circuit at the Coburg Shopping Centre car park was held under the directorship of the local mayor and keen marathon runner, Trevor Pettigrove.  In a high quality field that included the now famous Cliff Young in his prime, Margaret finished fourth overall just eight seconds behind Cliff in a superb 8:54:52

A deeply religious member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Margaret’s beliefs prevented her from participating in the first two hours of the Victorian 24 Hour Track Championships in February 1985.  Her 177km for fourth place overall was a national record with many [including myself] believing her self imposed “handicap” along with searing heat of nightmarish proportions put paid to Australia’s first 200km plus performance.  

“I was thrilled with my fifth place” said Peter Pfister recently, “But she still beat me with a two hour delay”
  
Celebrating the State of Victoria’s 150th anniversary in March 1985, a one-off 150km track race at suburban Aberfeldie attracted another high class field.  In blazing heat, Margaret charged through 50km in 4:58:25, 50 miles in 8:28:49, 100km in 10:30:43 and on to the finish to record another world class time of 15:42:50 in a superb exhibition of intelligent judgement and consistent pacing.  Her cheery and engaging disposition throughout seemed to belie her strong willed determination as she demolished every male runner in the field other than the mighty Brian Bloomer.   “I run for the confidence it gives me” was her simple answer to all those newspaper inquiries as to why she ran ultras.

Now established amongst the world’s best, she barely looked half her actual age.  With her thin wiry physique, deeply tanned skin and long blonde hair flowing behind her, the figure of Margaret Smith was unmistakable. 

“You look nothing like 49” exclaimed talk back radio journalist Derryn Hinch during a 3AW interview. “You’re such a sweetie” was Margaret’s coy reply.

With the Westfield Sydney to Melbourne race at its peak, Margaret toed the line on April 12th 1985 for her ultimate test against the world’s two best female multi day runners in Britain’s Eleanor Adams and Donna Hudson of New York. 

When asked what motivated her at a pre race press conference, her cheery answer summed it up so succinctly, “It’s a challenge – I believe Australian women are the most courageous in the world and I am running to find my extension”

One day into the 960km journey between Australia’s two largest cities, Margaret had established a lead over her two female rivals and was even taking it up to Cliff Young. “Mum muscles in on Cliff” read the headlines.

She continued to lead her more fancied rivals across the border into Victoria when she received news from the local constabulary that she and husband Neville had just become grandparents for the first time.  “Granny Smith – She’ll be Apples” reported the Melbourne newspapers.

A two day attack of dysentery had Margaret struggling but her husband remained confident. “She’ll make it, no question”, “It’s her personal goal and she’ll finish and finish with dignity, she’s not after a hero’s welcome” he said buoyantly

Despite her troubles, Margaret continued to take the race up to Eleanor Adams until the final day. Ultimately, Eleanor forged ahead and Donna Hudson snuck past in the dying stages.  Finishing only a few hours behind her two rivals in 8D16:28, Margaret Smith proved to all that she was worthy of her lofty position on the international scene.

Margaret never returned to the world stage as she took on the job as manager at one of her church’s aged care facilities in the Melbourne suburb of Ringwood.  Sadly, as a result, I don’t believe we saw the best of her.

Aged 51, a brief reappearance at a local 50 mile race looked like producing a 6:30 performance until that dreaded dysentery ruined things again in the later stages resulting in a slower, but still highly creditable 7:24:01.

Margaret promptly vanished from the running scene and has proved impossible to find. I spoke to most of her old running friends who were happy to share their memories but were at a loss as to her whereabouts.  Even a check of Seventh Day Adventist records proved fruitless.  One fact that remains unmistakable is the obvious collective awe in which she was held by the ultra community of the time with her all-day training runs still fresh in the minds of many. “She’d head out through the eastern suburbs and be gone until dark” reminisced Mick Whiteoak.

Margaret would now be 70 years of age.  A true pioneer with 10 times the determination of any AFL or NRL football team, her career spanned an era when the International Olympic Committee were still debating the merits of allowing women to race beyond 3,000 metres!!   The opportunities that have since presented themselves to our more recent female competitors are due, in no small part, to the efforts and example of Margaret Smith.

We at AURA remain hopeful of making contact with one of our past greats.  Can anyone help?

Compiled by AURA Ultramag Editor Kevin Cassidy from AURA records and a variety of old running magazines and information supplied by many of Margaret’s former running partners.  Special thanks to Phil Essam, Stan Miskin, Geoff Hook, Dot Browne, Colin Browne, Mick Whiteoak, Shirley Young, Ron Young, Peter Pfister, Marg Ellis-Smith and the very friendly and helpful manager at the head office of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

September 2006