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Sorry I don't know if the event is still going I just did a Google and it looks like the ACT race was still going in 2021

regards

Cass

Hi Cass… I saw that… but it looks like the incorporation of the Rex Foulkes Memorial Half Marathon may be at an end as there is no mention since 21 that I can see…

Looks like his home club also held such a race for a time:

“ Canberra Half Marathon History:

The First Annual Rex Foulkes Memorial Half Marathon started at 2pm on Sunday 13th September 1970. The organising committee comprised Peter McCullagh, Rod Calvert and Jack Pennington. Others helping out on the day were Daryl Cross, Joan Cross and Len Dowen.

The first three placegetters were Julian Scott 69.56; Terry McGee 70.30, and Dave McInnes 71.07. The great Dave Power came 6th in this race. Others from the Canberra area who participated that day and are still active within the sport are Graeme Small, Geoff Moore, Pat Fisher and Alan Wilson.

Rex Foulkes had been in Australia 5 years at the time of his death. He was very fond of Canberra and its runners and was a member of the North Canberra Athletic Club. His love of athletics and particularly distance running was so great that in the last 12 months of his life he covered 24,000 miles (approximately 38,000k) in search of competition.

Between 1965 and 1970 he had twice recorded 2 hours 27 minutes for the marathon. He was acknowledged as the most travelled runner in Harrier circles and this was his undoing. On 1 March 1970 Rex said ‘See you next week mates' and was killed in a car accident on the way home to Cooma.

In England Rex was a member of the ‘Vale of Aylesbury and Walton Athletic Club' I know until about 1990 there was a Rex Foulkes Memorial Race held in England.

Rex lived by the following code during his athletic career ‘The important thing is not to win but to take part’.”

Cheers, K

article in Canberra Times

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110324648?searchTerm=Rex%20Foulkes

and also

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/220164672/14493839
confirms date of death 1.3.1970


cass

Hi Cass… thank you for taking the time to research and post such a sad story on Rex.

I will explain the connection for any who may be interested.

My family were a service family living in Aldershot, UK in August 1964.  Having escaped from our backyard married quarter, I was apparently intent on following my brother and his friends - I tried to follow the group across one of Aldershot’s busiest roads (Wellington Avenue) …they crossed on the green man… me on red.  I was promptly caught by the rim of a Post Office Lorry driven by Rex. I was 2 years 9 months old.

Witnesses said I went higher than a streetlight.  I was taken to an office nearby awaiting an ambulance. The next time my mother saw me was on a table in that office with blood everywhere from a skull fracture and running out my ears. 

My patents to this day remember Rex who was absolutely distraught, he was not at fault.  He apparently visited often bringing gifts each time.   My parents recall that he quit his post office job and shortly after went to Australia.  They remember him in the manner reflected in the article you posted. I have the British newspaper articles on my own accident.

As for me, I became a Paratrooper also - serving for 39 years from boy to man, saying my own accident was my first of a few hard landings.

So sad to read that he met his end in a road traffic accident while there.  My parents who are still living will also be saddened to hear of this outcome.

I’m very glad he is remembered in Australia by way of the marathon - does the event still continue?

Once again many thanks to you.

RIP Rex - Forever Airborne.