Councillor for new test of stamina

It takes a lot of endurance and stamina to make the difficult decisions in our city. But in six weeks time, eastern suburbs city councillor Glenn Livingstone will be tackling an endurance test of another kind: the Speights Coast to Coast.

This will be Cr Livingstone's fourth time lining up for the event and this time he hopes to do slightly better than his previous times.

Describing himself as an "average plod" Cr Livingstone said he couldn't remember what times he had achieved in the past, apart from the fact they were "dreadful".

"I don't remember the times for them, I do know that they were dreadful when compared to Steve Gurney's 10 hours.

"I do remember that I was a quarter of an hour quicker in the 2009 event," he said.

Cr Livingstone said his journey with the endurance race began in 2001 when he needed a goal to help move on after the tragedy of losing his mother to cancer.

"It was my way of setting a goal, focusing and moving on after my mother died. I did a teams event with a good friend - actually he will be racing in this event too so I will be competing against him this time." he said.

Cr Livingstone said the Speights Coast to Coast was a good metaphor for life but also for the recovery of our earthquake shaken city.

"The Coast to Coast is referred as the 'mountain race' and that is a good way to see the recovery of Christchurch.

"We do have a huge mountain to climb but we will get there, and it will be tough and people will get there in their own time," he said.

To prepare for the multisport event Cr Livingstone has already completed a couple of runs through the Coast to Coast mountain section and tackled the Port Hills to get his hill cycling up to speed.

"I still need to drop a little more weight, I've lost around four kilograms but I'm aiming to lose another two. When you are lighter you use less energy," he said.

Learning to kayak on the Hurunui River, Cr Livingstone said he has had a few hair raising experiences.

"I have been pinned up against rocks a few times and hit my helmet against rocks," he said.

As for the far more political race later this year, Cr. Livingstone said he hasn't ruled out running for the top job.

"I've had a few people ask me if I would consider running for mayor and I haven't ruled it out. But ultimately the decision will be made by the People Choice group and that decision won't be made until February or March.

"Being mayor is a hard job - it's one thing to want it to see your name in lights but it is a tough job and you have to want it for the right reasons. Those reasons have to be to serve the city," he said.

The impact on his family also had to be weighed up, he said.

"My young son actually asked me will you be home for Christmas morning or will you be at a meeting," and he genuinely meant it. This is the impact and what you have to take into account to keep perspective," he said.