Some families bond over a picnic, others may try backyard sports or a board game. Not the Walkers.
One member of this powerhouse team of long-distance runners is gearing up to compete in her 40th The Sun Herald City2Surf, presented by Westpac.
"I'm thrilled that we all do it together. It's a bit addictive though, you wouldn't want to marry into this family because you would have to join us," says clan matriarch, Helen Walker, 82.
Ms Walker has been running the race since 1977, when she first completed the 14 kilometre Sydney to Bondi course with her son, Peter.
"I watched my son and daughter run it [in 1976] and I noticed there weren't many women so I thought I'm going to do that next year," she said.
And do it she did – for another 40 years.
The retired pharmacist runs alongside her family team, including her son Peter, her daughter-in-law Rowena, and two grandsons Luke, 16 and James, 12. The clan of runners spanning three generations is something Ms Walker says makes her proud.
"It's always a serious effort and we are always there to do our best, I mean it's still fun but we are there for a serious reason," she says.
The seriousness of the Walker running legacy is not to be understated, as Ms Walker lists the numerous accolades and achievements which members of the family have obtained for both the City2Surf and other, longer runs.
Ms Walker admits she does love the excitment of arriving early in the morning.
"I love the morning ... going up in the train and seeing all those people, then lining up at the start and making a new friend. You always talk to somebody you don't know," she explains.
At 82 years old the veteran marathon runner prefers to walk the course, but stills trains everyday.
"I'm out every morning early, doing my exercise and my walk of seven kilometres every day. At City2Surf time I've got to do a few 14 kilometre walks. I also swim and if I do that every day it seems to maintain a fantastic fitness which I really enjoy."
"Now, I don't expect to live any longer but I expect to live every day better," she says.
Register for The Sun-Herald City2Surf at city2surf.com.au
