John Wall knows all about the trials and tribulations of life on the track.
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The veteran sprinter, from Mingara Athletics Club, has seen and done it all, from being a three times Oceania Masters Athletics Games champion to holding the title of the fastest 62 year old on the planet in 2009.
He's also experienced dizzying lows, being given just four years to live after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2011.
Despite the hardships, and the immense pressure and strain of competing as a world class athlete at the age of 74, Wall's achievements stand as a testament to the man's ability to inspire.
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Now, he's added another small notch to an impressive list amidst an incredibly busy schedule, taking out first place in the over 70s Men's 200m Sprint in the NSW Country Championships on Friday.
"I just broke the fastest time in Australia over the 60m sprint last Tuesday," Wall said, shortly after getting the win at Barden Park.
"I'm hoping I can do a little better in the 100m on Saturday, I don't train for the 200m and it's always a harder race."
"The 200 is always a tough event, because it's still a sprint down the 200m, you're really pushing it around the bend and then you crash straight into the headwind, which is a bit like running into a brick wall, it's always difficult, but it's the same for everyone, we all push through it."
Wall, who also trains the up and coming athletes from his region of the Central Coast, is a strong believer in a hard work ethic and sees the passion of athletic competition as a huge reason for why he's been able to continue well into his 70s.
"There's a few older athletes with us in Mingara and I think with the older athletes, it's about the commitment to show others and inspire others, even the younger ones," Wall said.
"It gives you that chance to say, 'hey, just because you've passed twenty or thirty life isn't over', there's still enjoyment to be had, the enrichment of your friends and your social network, I think it's a very valuable thing for people."
That ability to inspire has served Wall well in his coaching duties, with his trip to Dubbo in part driven by his desire to see one of his most promising athletes succeed.
"The thing about it is, and what I always say, is that age is only a number, being 74 now is almost irrelevant, the training that I do is the same as the athletes I teach," Wall said.
"One of them, Jye Kovacs, he's competing here today and he's going to go for an Olympic qualifier this year, he's running in the final of the 200m Opens and that's basically why I'm here and why I wanted to be here.
"Jye gets a real buzz out of seeing me compete and training together helps me and him both, it's really brilliant."