Greyhounds and running help keep Rockhampton trainer moving forward

By Pat McLeod

Two of Rob Weeding’s biggest passions, greyhound racing and running, are helping him through his greatest heartache.

Two years ago his partner of 20 years, Rebecca, passed away from brain cancer.

The father of two was devastated, struggling to find a reason to ‘keep moving’.

Last Saturday Weeding completed the Gold Coast half marathon.

On Tuesday night he was back home in Rockhampton, at a greyhound meeting.

He’s come a long way in a short amount of time.

“Both the running and greyhounds have helped a lot,” he said.

“The dogs have kept me busy. They have been a massive help.

“You know that you have to get up each day and do things for them. They keep me moving sometimes when some days you just want to stop.”

He also says the Rockhampton greyhound fraternity has been a massive support.

“The Rockhampton Greyhound Racing Club were very supportive during our whole journey with Rebecca and everything that she was going through,” he said.

“They helped raise money and there were plenty of offers of help.”

The running, which he has been doing ‘seriously’ for about eight months, was also important.

"It's got me through some really hard times," he said.

"Running has been a way to relax, clear my mind and it has given me the time and freedom to think.

"My main reason for running on the Gold Coast was to give something back, raise some money and help the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation and people going through what we went through.”

Weeding, who runs every day, has five dogs in work at his one acre property at Glenlee, a semi-rural community 10kms north of Rockhampton.

Originally he had planned to run the full marathon (42km) on the Gold Coast, but a persistent knee injury forced him to make a late change.

“It was a last-minute decision to drop down from the marathon to the half marathon. I felt I had to do something,” he explains.

“I was pretty happy with the run. My knee was playing up a little bit at the end of the run, but I made it through.

“I had a lot of family support at the finish line – my children (Maddison, 18, and Cohan, 13) – my mother and brothers and sisters.

“I finished in just under two hours (one hour and 59 minutes), which I was also really happy with.”

Weeding’s aim is to raise $5,000 and so far has reached $1,700 with more to come in.

“Any money donated is really appreciated. The Cure Brain Cancer Foundation is such a great cause,” he said.

"I just want to do something and give something back.

"If by doing the run I can help just one family not go through what we went through it will be worth it."

Weeding said his passion for greyhound racing continues to grow since becoming involved about seven years ago.

“When I moved to Rockhampton I started to help dad with his dogs. He has been training for about 30 years,” he said.

“I would go to the track with him and then took out a handler’s licence, then a trainer’s licence, then I bought this property where I can train the dogs.

“This is my hobby, my outlet. I love everything to do with the dogs.

“The ultimate dream would be to give work away and race greyhounds full-time. But, I haven't reached that stage.

“I will probably go up to six race dogs soon and just keep going like that. You never know what the future might hold.”

Weeding said the pick of his kennel at the moment were Sober Meredith and Summer Weeds.

“Sober Meredith is just coming through,” he said.

“She is a novice at the moment and still learning her way, but still showing ability.

“Summer Weeds, well, she is a bit of a wild card that one. She has a lot of pace, but gives it away on the home bend when she goes really wide."

• To donate to research into brain cancer, go to: www.curebraincancer.org.au

• Weeding’s own donation page can be found here