Mark Purvis joined Old Scotch Athletic Club in 1974 and competed on the track for a couple of seasons, but did not make his APSOC debut until 1983. At this time he was bitten by the marathon bug and the miles of training quickly began to pay off. For the next decade he was Old Scotch’s most successful winter runner in both cross country and road racing. He also played a major part in the administration at Old Scotch, being at times President (1990-1995), Vice-President of Cross Country, Treasurer, Registrar and Webmaster. He was a member of the Old Scotch “Team of the Century” and author of the club history “Red Singlets on the Line” 2001.
Mark was also a regular competitor for APS United’s summer A Grade/State League team with a best 5000m of 14:58.
With APSOC, Mark has competed continuously since 1983, contributing to many Old Scotch team wins. He ran fastest time in the Hooley (Gilwell Park) Relay 1985 and 1990; Churchill Park 12k 1989 (course record); and Mini Marathon Quarter 1991. He was the fastest APSOC marathon runner in 1985, 1988, 1991 and 1992. He won the Lodge 16k Handicap 1992. He was APSOC Male Athlete of the Year in 1989 and 1990.
Mark has a most respectable set of PB’s in the winter program –
Dyson 11:33; Jamieson 15:43; McPhail 25:26; Cooke-McClelland 26:37; Churchill 12k 40:53; Lodge 16k 53:05; Mini Marathons Half 68:44: AV Road 10k 31:04; Sandown Relay 6.2k 18:56; Marathon 2:24.23 in Tokyo (1992).
He was a member of the Victorian gold medal team at the Australian Marathon Championships, Gold Coast, 1994.
Mark was APSOC President 1995-1996 and, importantly, Webmaster from 1998 to the present. This somewhat onerous task has been a major factor in the successful organisation and administration of the Association.
Mark was Team Manager of APS United summer teams 1998-2004, and has managed the winter team continuously since 1996.
It was in recognition of his significant contribution to APSOC over some twenty years, both as an athlete and administrator, that Mark was elected a Life Member in 2004.
As a post script to the years beyond 2004, it can be added that Mark has enjoyed great success in overage competition, winning the APSOC M50+ Athlete of the Year in 2010, 2013 and 2015. He was a member of APSU M50+ premiership teams in 2012 and 2013. He won the Australian M55 track 1500m and 5000m Championships in 2013. He has won several State Championships in cross country, road and track events. He placed 7th in the World Masters Track & Field Championships M55 5000m in Brazil in 2013. In 2014, at age 56, Mark ran 2:53.46 in the Tokyo Marathon.
