INSPO Fitness Journal April 2017

JIMMY
McMURRAY
Pedalling for
World Masters
Games glory
BY GRAHAM SKELLERN
Every week Jimmy McMurray
pedals the Waikato countryside,
covering between 400 to
450 kilometres.
He turns out of his lifestyle block on
the banks of Lake Karapiro and cycles
``the quieter roads’’ towards Tokoroa
– his daily training regime reaching between
60-70km. In between, he completes sprints
and hill work closer to home.
The 56-year-old, an area rep for Sheppard
Cycles and Avanti Bikes, is building up for a
podium finish at the World Masters Games
to be held in Auckland later this month.
``This is a very big event and has a strong
following,’’ says Jimmy, the world one hour
record holder for his age group. ``We are
talking 25,000 athletes across all sports.
That’s phenomenally huge, bigger than the
Olympic Games participation.
``I’m riding faster times now than when
I was in my 20s – more than four minutes
over a measured course, though technology
has changed.
Every year I train harder, I’m fitter and
I’m a little quicker. I’m aiming for a minimum
top three at the World Masters Games.’’
Jimmy has entered the 55-59 years 20km
time trial on the Auckland Waterfront on
April 23, and the 70km road race at Ardmore
on April 30.
In early September last year he won the
22.6km time trial for the 55-59 age group at
the Union Cycling Internationale’s Amateur
Road World Championships near Perth –
and therefore is a favourite to complete the
double as World Masters Games champion.
At Perth he finished ahead of former world
champions Dzimitry Buben from Belarus and
Michael Pfeil from Germany in a field of 48
representing 15 countries. His winning time
of 26 minutes 8 seconds, at an average speed
of 44.8kph, was faster than the younger 50-54
age group by more than half a minute.
Jimmy was pipped by half a wheel and
settled for the silver medal in the 110km road
race which attracted 165 competitors from 25
countries.
“I’m riding faster times
now than when I was in
my 20s. I’m fitter and
I’m a little quicker. I’m
aiming for a minimum
top three at the World
Masters Games.’’
In April last year he tested his resolve and
will; attempting the one hour record for his
age group at the Avantidrome. From a standing
start, he pedalled furiously for 47.773km
when time was up, more than 2km ahead of
the previous record of 45.6kms.
“`I wanted to see if I was good enough
going up against the world mark.
“The time trial is the `race of truth’ where
you are only racing against the clock and
there are no outside influences.’’
Jimmy has always been a competitive
road cyclist. In his 20s he raced alongside
the likes of Graeme Miller, Paul Leitch, Jack
Swart and Stephen Cox.
``All these guys were two years older than
me and the incumbent Olympic riders. They
always went to the Games. But I’m better
than them now … because they don’t ride as a
competitively.’’
After taking a break from road cycling, he
returned 12 years ago.
``I was a bit overweight and not as healthy
as I should have been. The training and improving
the fitness led to the competition.’’
He reduced his weight from 94kgs to 73kg
and caught the racing bug again riding for
the Tokoroa Forestland Wheelers club. On
his return, Jimmy has won 11 New Zealand
road race and time trial titles in different age
groups.
He has been to three world amateur
championships and always finished in the
top 10 including two seconds and of course
the time trial victory at Perth.
``I like to do the very best I can, but also
it’s not the end of the world,’’ says Jimmy.
``I do it because I enjoy it, and the World
Masters Games will be another personal
challenge.’’
Backed by his gruelling training regime, he
will be ready and will no doubt be one of the
New Zealand medallists in Auckland this April.
INSPO – FITNESS JOURNAL APRIL 2017
15