Dr Jo Petersen - Ultra Marathon competitor for Hospice
Dr Jo Petersen has lived in Whakatane for 15 years, earning a reputation as a trusted doctor at his Phoenix Health Centre practice. Prior to immigrating with his wife and two sons from South Africa in 1994, Jo had been based at a De Beers Mine hospital where his medical responsibilities included minor surgery, anaesthetics, and maternity services.
- Jo
His last race was held in Southern Namibia May 2009 which encompassed a 550-metre deep Fish River Canyon, the 2nd largest canyon in the world. The course included a desert with a huge variety of terrains, from ankle-twisting boulders, stones, and soft sand. He ran over mountain ranges, through valleys, sand flats and 30 metre high sand dunes.
He finished third place in Chile’s Atacama Desert 2008 race, a staggering second place in the Antarctic Marathon and last year took first place honours in his age 50-59 age group, finishing 6th overall, recording a time of 31 hours, 49 minutes and 53 seconds.
At a young 56 years of age, he’s reaching his peak with these kinds of results in challenging, hostile environments.
Having already competed in more than 51 marathons since he started running back in 1979, Jo has decided that ultra marathons really give him the “ultimate combination” of off-road racing and travel around the globe.
Right now he is focusing on his preparation and training for the race in China’s Gobi Desert and raising funds for Hospice EBOP.
When asked why he chooses to run for Hospice, Jo reported -
“I chose to support Hospice because I believe it’s an invaluable resource for families trying to cope with the stress and anxiety of terminal illness. As a general practitioner, I am acutely aware of the high level of professionalism and compassion with which they serve our community, and I am very proud to support their efforts in this small way.”
To donate go to http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/jo4hospice