By Drew Wilson

Liberated by running

Aug 2, 2011 | 6:26 AM

Results posted from the 2011 Summit Run show, Albert Orban, the sole runner in the 70-79 year age group, running a 10 kilometre race in 48 minutes.

This was not a misprint, but part of a remarkable story.

Orban, 72, a deeply religious man, who now lives in Tisdale, spent his youth dreaming of running in his native Slovakia, but was prevented from following his dreams by basic survival.

The horrors of war touched Orban at age six when he was buried alive in the bombed-out shell of his home, after a 1945 Soviet raid.

However Orban said he always held on to the hope that one day he would be able to run.

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“In my country as a little boy, I was dreaming about running sometime and running well,” said Orban.

“But the opportunity wasn't there, because my country was torn by war and poverty, but I still was keeping that dream and fire in my mind that one day I will be running.”

Orban experienced war again as a young man serving in the military for over two years.

Then came a life altering decision in 1968 to escape the totalitarian rule in Soviet-controlled Czechoslovakia and emigrate to Canada.

Orban made the move when he was 29 and started living his dream by beginning running seven years later.

“I found this beautiful country as a land of opportunity and I started running. It wasn't easy,” said Orban.

“I was doing a job as a general mechanic inside a service station in Regina. The air inside wasn't very good and I was there all day. I was starving for fresh air and that old dream that remained in me just came out. I started and just kept running.”

Orban's accomplishments as a runner accumulated quickly.

He erased 23 minutes from the Canadian Masters record for 50 kilometres in 1994 after running the distance in three hours and 44 minutes.

At age 61 he ran an average of a marathon a week.

However Orban said some of his fondest memories as a runner have come in Prince Albert.

He participated in several ultra marathons in the mid-70's in this city.

Orban said he remembers races in those days attracted between 30 and 50 runners and was astonished to see about 500 runners and walkers at this year's Summit run on the Rotary trail.

“When I heard, when I came from Tisdale and I heard that number I almost had tears in my eyes of joy and happiness,” said Orban.

“That race was organized just wonderfully.”

During the event he was greeted by an old friend, Kerry Paul, who showed up just to encourage Orban.

Orban said Paul is just one of many people from Prince Albert who have touched his life.

“Dave Whitcombe did so much for me and George Carnrike who organized the ultra marathons for ten years, he was my second home. I can only thank those people from the bottom of my heart and now you people (young runners and walkers) will take the torch and carry what other people have started,” he said.

Albert retired from running marathons last year, at the age 71, but that doesn’t mean the end of running.

Orban said he doesn’t know how long he’ll be able to continue running, but he doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

“Life is a gift. I like to enjoy it. I cannot answer how long, God willing I will run for a very, very long time and enjoy more wonderful people and share the simplest thing in the world … walking, jogging or running,” he said.

While people might be worried about their times and abilities, Orban maintains running is a personal competition and you are a winner every time you hit the track, trail or roadway.

Now that he has been able to work on one dream, Orban, who doles out “runner's hugs,” said his biggest dream now “before God calls him home” is world peace.

Anyone who has had the opportunity of meeting the humble, soft spoken 72 year old, likely hopes his new dream, like the one he had as a young boy, comes true.

dwilson@rawlco.com