City to Casino runners to remember fallen marathon champion Colin Oliver

COMPETITORS in Sunday’s City to Casino fun run are being encouraged to wear a black arm band in memory of marathon champion Colin Oliver.

Friends of the late Colin Oliver, from left, Sharen Willing, 57, Paul Riseley, 51, Dean Giblin, 53, and Andrew Law, 58, will remember him this weekend when they compete in this year’s City to Casino. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

COMPETITORS in Sunday’s City to Casino fun run are being encouraged to wear a black arm band in memory of marathon champion Colin Oliver.

Mr Oliver, 48, died on Tuesday after suffering injuries in a mountain bike crash at the Maydena Bike Park on March 1.

Mr Oliver’s fellow athletes and close friends Andrew Law, Dean Giblin, Paul Riseley and Sharen Willing will each run in his memory.

Mr Oliver was a five-time Cadbury Marathon winner and served as race director for several years.

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Mr Giblin, who trained and lived with Mr Oliver in his teens, said his absence would be felt during this year’s race.

“I’ll be very sad, it’s going to be very emotional,” he said.

“We will all be thinking of him as we run.

“Colin was such a tough runner, it was like he had a diesel motor and everybody else had petrol motors.”

Mr Risley said Mr Oliver touched the hearts of many.

“He was a very serious runner but he was a jovial larrikin as well,” he said.

“We really hope his family are there to see what he meant to all of us.”

A minute’s silence and presentation on Mr Oliver’s sporting achievements will take place from 10am.