Geoff Jamieson is a rare athlete, one who trains hard and who refuses to slow down despite age and injury. He’s an elite athlete and deserves to be named a Legend of Jacob’s Ladder.
On most Sunday mornings you can find Geoff climbing faster than everyone else. In fact he laps faster than most people dream is possible.
At around 57 you’d expect him to be slowing down. That’s not the case. With monotonous regularity Geoff churns out 30 laps in around 90 minutes. Jacob’s Ladder regulars know that doing 10 laps in 30 minutes is a significant milestone. Geoff does 3 of those back to back, rain, hail or shine. Quite simply he’s a freak.
Geoff’s work rate is phenomenal. ‘Take it easy’ just isn’t in his vocabulary. From lap 1 right through to lap 30 he’s quick. Really quick. He walks down at a steady clip, turns at the bottom, then swings his arms hard to maximise his momentum throughout the climb to the top. A minute and a half down, a minute and a half up. Lap after lap after lap.
In all the time I’ve watched Geoff in action I’ve never seen anyone beat him over 30 laps. I’ve seen people have a lash at him for 5 or 10 laps – I’ve done that myself – but I’ve never seen anyone start with him on lap 1 and stay with him to lap 30. Not once. He’s that good.
And I’ve never seen Geoff wear a shirt. Looking at his physique I can’t blame him. He has the physique of a twenty year-old, chiselled no doubt by years in the gym.
According to Greg Williams, Geoff is a gifted allround athlete and a top guy to boot. He was a top tennis player in Geraldton and a regular winner on the squash court. He played football until a knee injury forced his retirement. Wanting to maintain his connection with the game he went on to become an AFL umpire in the GNFL.
Professionally Geoff is a maths teacher and Head of Department at Trinity College. He’s married with two adult children.
On any level Geoff Jamieson deserves to be named a Legend of Jacob’s Ladder.