Bruce Fordyce – one of South Africa’s all-time greats - bares his soul

The Money Show’s Bruce Whitfield interviews athlete about his attitude to money (hopes and fears, successes and failures, etc.).

I’m the worst person you could talk to… I have very little interest in money…
Bruce Fordyce, Park Run South Africa

I’m an ex-archaeologist… My first salary was R800 per month… It was a passion… I miss it terribly… the running has become too big…
Bruce Fordyce, Park Run South Africa

I’m a fairly committed Tim Noakes disciple. I’m now fairly sure I might live a little bit too long. So I do worry…
Bruce Fordyce, Park Run South Africa

Each week The Money Show’s Bruce Whitfield interviews a famous person about her or his attitude to money (hopes and fears, successes and failures, etc.) as part of his weekly “Make Money Mondays, Personal Edition” feature.

This week he interviewed Bruce Fordyce, one of South Africa’s all-time great athletes.

Born in Hong Kong; Fordyce moved with his family to Johannesburg when he was 13 years old.

Fordyce is most well-known for having won the 89 kilometre Comrades Marathon a record nine times (from 1981 to 1988 and again in 1990).

On his first victory in 1981, Fordyce wore a black armband to protest the 20th-anniversary celebrations of the apartheid republic, attracting boos from the crowd and even a rotten tomato by a fellow runner.

He holds the world record for over 50 miles, set during the 1983 London to Brighton ultramarathon.

In 2004, he was voted the 64th greatest South African in history.

Fordyce is a manager at Park Run South Africa, a free-entry 5km event.

What does Fordyce believe about money?
Does it keep him up at night?
Does he spend like crazy or save compulsively?
How did his childhood experiences shape his views about money?

Listen to the interview in the audio below (and scroll down for more quotes from it).

We’re a social phenomenon… a complete melting pot of South Africans, all coming together… I get Goosebumps every single Saturday… You can be slow, unfit… we’ll wait for you…
Bruce Fordyce, Park Run South Africa

…To be a Comrades champion is unbelievable. I still pinch myself… It’s led to a life where I’m able to contribute, and that’s become increasingly important to me as I get a sense of impending mortality…
Bruce Fordyce, Park Run South Africa

My father was a soldier… never the richest of the rich… my parents gave me a fantastic education… After winning my first Comrades… they urged me to stay with it…
Bruce Fordyce, Park Run South Africa

I’ve got some investments. I’m rather heavily invested in the stock market… I have enough [time] ahead of me to not panic…
Bruce Fordyce, Park Run South Africa

I like to spend it to have more experiences. I love to travel… spending time with friends…
Bruce Fordyce, Park Run South Africa

Scatter my ashes next to a beautiful river or dam in Kruger Park!
Bruce Fordyce, Park Run South Africa

I suppose I’ve got elder statesman status. It took forever for Wally Hayward to die… I’m in a great age group because quite a lot of my opposition is dead!
Bruce Fordyce, Park Run South Africa

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