Stephen Donald (1976), who passed away on 15 March 2024, was one of the finest athletes Paul Roos Gymnasium had produced. He excelled in track, cross country and road running and was the fastest marathon runner in the school’s history: 2:15:48 in the Peninsula Marathon in 1983.
Stephen was also the SA Universities Marathon champion in 1985 and won five successive gold medals (top 10 finishes) in the Two Oceans ultra marathon. He represented Western Province in well over 50 running events. Stephen was a tenacious athlete with an unusual running style: slightly stooped, shoulders bent forward and feet slapping down.
Off the track he was affable, unperturbed and a true ‘mensch’. He retired last year after a career in the retailer Total Sports’s senior management.
He is survived by his wife, Meg. Stephen’s brother, John (Class of ’73), was also a top long distance runner, also winning five Two Oceans gold medals.
Bun Booyens
