Carle Pace

Background

He was born in Edenvale, Johannesburg to Johannes (John) Jurie Pace and Gertruida Phillipina Pace, née Potgieter, dairy farmers on 2 March 1918 and died on 24 July 2008 in Portuguese Elizabeth just a few months after his 90th birthday.

Career

His running career lasted up until just after his 89th birthday. His ashes were scattered at the Westbourne Athletics Oval, in Portuguese Elizabeth. In 1947 with a time of 08:02:41, Carl came 6th overall running for Germiston Callies Harriers.

He came back 2 years later at the age of 31 and finished 24th with a time of 09:59:34 obtaining him a silver.

In 1922, Carl"s father was tried for treason for his role in the miner"s Rand Rebellion, but subsequently released. Although getting divorced in the 80"s due to personal reasons, Carl and Lois remained close friends till Carl"s death.

Achievements

• He concentrated on field and track events in the later half of his life, becoming a champion within veteran and masters athletics. Still to this day he holds the records for: 85–89 years 400m sprint - 2:01.6. 85–89 years 800m sprint - 5:21.0 He took up cycling in the 40"s and was at one time a Transvaal junior champion. In his tour of duty with the South African Air Force in the war, he became inland command featherweight champ, putting flight to both Ossewabrandwag and Royal Air Force challengers, he recalled in an article with a local newspaper in 2004.