Calabria made the change to jogging to remain active after a health complication meant that he was unable to continue playing golf and squash.

"I got cancer in my right arm, and that stopped me playing squash and golf," he said.

"So I thought the next best thing once I got my arm fixed up I took on jogging."

IT was an instant success, and Calabria hasn't missed many meeting since his first run almost forty years ago.

"Everyone has a lay day every now and then, but I don't think I have missed many of the runs," he said.

"It was the camaraderie and the people up there. They are a great bunch of guys, and it is a good challenge for myself.

"It was just one of those things that once you get glued to something that you like, you just keep going back."

The 88-year-old has seen a number of changes of his years with the group, including recording times digital.

"It has gone high tech now," he said.

"Once upon a time there was a book at the end of the run, and you would check the time with the clock and put your name down but all that has changed now."

Even after celebrating his birthday on Saturday, the dedicated jogger said he doesn't see himself stopping anytime soon.

"Every birthday I say it will be my last, but I don't think I'll be stopping altogether," he said.

"I'll go up there if I can and even if I can't run I'll just walk. I can get out there and enjoy the weather, enjoy the scenery and enjoy the company. I encourage anyone who is reasonably healthy, and they can come up there and if they aren't good when they start they will be when they finish."

Unfortunately for the joggers like Calabria, the COVID-19 pandemic has seen one of the joggers main events for the year cancelled.

The spread of the Coronavirus left the committee of the Griffith Feral Joggers with no option but to cancel the 2020 Flexible Solutions Bacchus on the Lake. The organisation is investigating alternate ways for members to exercise while at the same time complying with all government regulations.

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