HAMILTON-RAISED Len Martin has always been pretty fit, but at 87, he has an exercise regime that would put anyone half his age to shame.

Ever since he was a young man, Len has been sports minded as a footballer, runner, and cyclist, and in early 2024, Len plans to embark on a charity bicycle ride in Cambodia. 

The 250-kilometre ride for the Cambodian Children’s Fund raises money for something dear to Len - help for underprivileged children.

“I started bike riding at age 60 because my knee cartilages had worn out,” he said.  

“In my 70s I did fundraising bike rides of about 700 kilometres each, in Cambodia for Oxfam, Mongolia for Christina Noble Children’s Fund, Vietnam for a Uniting Church orphanage in North Korea, and Myanmar for the Cambodian Children’s Fund.

“This year I’m doing the shorter ride of about 250 kilometres.”

“I was not able to do the longer one last year because of a bad accident I had 18 months ago which severely injured my knees.  

“I’m hoping that they are OK this year.”

Len has been involved in sport for most of his life.  

He grew up in Hamilton and in 1953 was the senior athletic champion at Hamilton High School.  

He was also captain of the St Mary’s U-18 football team and they won the premiership.  

He then went to Ballarat for teachers’ college and played for Ballarat East Football Club, winning their best and fairest, and represented the Ballarat Football League in interleague competition.

During the 25 years he lived at Halls Gap he ran about 100km each week up and down the mountains to the Pinnacle and the next mountain peak.

At the age of 51 he started running marathons and in the Melbourne Marathon he won the father/son trophy with his younger son in his first marathon, and two years later he won it with his elder son.

At this time, he became president of Stawell Shire Council.

Len’s trip to Cambodia commences in January.

“I pay all my own expenses - my airfare, accommodation and the hire of a bike,” he said.

“I have to raise three and a half thousand dollars which goes to the organisation.  

“If I don’t raise it through people helping me, I pay it myself.  

“I’m not very good at raising money.”

Len cycles every week and says he is keen to start his Cambodian ride.

“I suppose I could say I’m in training for the ride,” he said.  

“Two or three times a week I go for a ride of 30 to 40 kilometres.”                                                                                                       

Anyone interested in sponsoring Len can contact him directly by mobile on 0448 566 183 or the organisation on 02 9380 8822 or by emailing cambodiachildrensfund.org