12 OCTOBER 2025

John ‘Dobbo’ Dobson

70 / Eltham

Melbourne Marathons: x42 (Spartan Legend)

MM PB: 3:02.49 โ€“ 1987
1978 time: 3:41.40
2019 time: 4:29.32

Dobbo started running after he broke his arm in a game of football. In 1975 he saw advertised in the paper a 14km fun run, from Albert Park to Elwood Beach. It was the first running event he had ever participated in and was โ€œone of the most memorable days of [his] lifeโ€.

In 1978, Dobbo heard the radio talking about a Melbourne Marathon and initially thought โ€œI can do that, Iโ€™ve done a fun run beforeโ€. He prepared by reading all the books he could and started training. Dobbo ran his first Melbourne Marathon in 3 hours 41 minutes, it was his hardest race. After that he โ€œgot the bugโ€.

โ€œEvery year I wait. Iโ€™ll be at the start line with 3-4 minutes to go thinking I have been waiting all year for this moment to come.โ€ Says Dobbo. He’s looking forward to December and invites all to “come run with us”!

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