Everyone really does have a place in athletics.
Two of the real stars at the recent Oceania Athletics Championships in Darwin were 88-year-olds Nola Brockie and Maggie Roberts.
Both from Darwin and great friends, running is a passion for the pair and they both competed in the women’s 30-89 Masters 60m event at the Championships.
They are part of the MAD Frogs running group that train every week in Darwin on a Wednesday and on a Sunday.
MAD stands for Mature Athletes Darwin and has a great following in the Top End of Australia.
Nola (left in picture) likes to run three times a week, while Maggie does that and swims.
“The open air, the fact we can swear without being heard, that’s a good thing,’ Nola laughed as she said why she loves the sport.
“In seriousness, it’s the freedom of it.
“It’s keeping us going.”
Maggie agrees, she couldn’t imagine life without exercise.
“It’s keeping us fit, and on the move, which is such a good thing,” she said.
“I would recommend running and moving to anyone at our age, it doesn’t matter how slow you are, at least you are moving.”
Nola added: “Even boiling the kettle, you can move!”
In the 60m sprint at the Championships in Darwin, Nola beat her best friend with a time of 16.08, while Maggie finished with a time of 20.86.
They had the time of their lives.
“Even looking at everyone’s run because you are last doesn’t matter, because you are there,” Nola said.
The MAD Frogs is always open to everyone if you fancy a run with Nola and Maggie.
“We welcome all ages and it doesn’t matter if you fall over, we pick you up and laugh with you and let you start again,” Nola laughed.
Yesterday Australian distance running legend Steve Moneghetti helped launch the Athletics in Australia National Participation Plan, bringing over 20 athletics stakeholders together for the first time with the aim of growing the sport.
Like Nola and Maggie, Steve has had a lifelong passion for running.
He is also happy the rest of the nation is catching on, but as the Plan sets out, we can and will do better.
“People used to think I was crazy that I was a runner, now it has become so normal,” he said.
“It’s because people have seen the benefits, they want to be involved.
“You don’t have to be great, anyone can do it.
“It’s great for your mental health, the social impact, the friendship you form.”
Like the Plan says, it’s all about participation.
“I don’t remember the good and the bad races, the wins, the loses,” Steve said.
“But I never forget the friendships and the great experiences I’ve had across the journey.”
To read more about the Australian In Athletics Nationals Participation Plan, go to HERE.
By Luke Dennehy, Australian Athletics
Posted 6/6/2026
