KEN WRIGHT by Barry Ross

Former Sydney Roosters and South Sydney five eighth, Ken Wright, has just returned to Sydney after running in the New York Marathon. Now 57 years of age, Ken ran a creditable 3 hours 46 minutes to finish 9,751th overall from a record 50,304 competitors.

The New York Marathon was held on 3 November and in his age group of 55 to 59, Ken came home in 258th position. Last year Ken flew to New York to compete in the Marathon but when Hurricane Sandy hit the Big Apple, the event was cancelled.

After beginning his senior career with Randwick, Ken played nine Rugby Union Tests with the Wallabies from 1975 to 1978 and six games for NSW. In 1979, he joined the Sydney Roosters, playing 22 top grade games in his three seasons at Bondi Junction. Moving on to Redfern for two years in 1982, Ken played 36 first grade matches with the Rabbitohs. During his five seasons in first grade Rugby League, he played 58 matches and scored 133 points.

In 1981, when Jack Gibson set up the Rugby League Players' Association, Ken became the first Player/President of the new body. A qualified and respected accountant, Ken provided his services free of charge for the Men of League in the early years.