A full and active life has been at the heart of the 53-year marriage between real estate king Garth Barfoot and his wife Judy.
From their early days tramping together, to completing the Rotorua Marathon and later successfully taking on the challenge of the Coast to Coast, activity has sustained the 87-year-old grandparents throughout their rich and full lives.
Now living at Bert Sutcliffe Retirement Village in Beach Haven on the North Shore, the pair are still just as active.
Garth – who for six decades worked for Barfoot and Thompson, the real estate agency cofounded by his father – is in training for the 2024 Rotorua Marathon in May, followed by the New York City Marathon in November. Meanwhile, Judy regularly walks and swims.
Given their shared passions, it was perhaps inevitable the pair first met as members of the Alpine Sports Club, although back then, tramping was not Judy’s preferred pursuit.
“Garth was more of a tramper than me,” says Judy. “I only joined the tramping club because my best friend belonged to the club. I couldn’t see the point in walking.”
Garth, who has just completed his daily walk when the Weekly visits, adds, “Judy could ski better than me and I could tramp better than her. She didn’t want to know me on the ski field!”
This story is from the January 29, 2024 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 29, 2024 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Wax lyrical SHINE BRIGHT
We're not blowing smoke! These easy projects will light up your rooms in a jiffy
Mum's hero team GIVING GIGI A FLYING CHANCE
Twice her daughter has needed life-saving treatment
Call the midwife AROHA'S SPECIAL DELIVERIES
The maternity carer wants more pregnant mums to have the traditional Māori birth experienc
Winning his Queen back FRED & MARY'S TOUR OF LOVE
There's a lot riding on the royal couple's anniversary cruise
The winner TAKES IT ALL!
Five decades on from Abba's Arrival, we're still saying Thank You For the Music
The show must go on! TAYLA'S LIVING HER DREAM
From opera to operations, the young Kiwi performer is unstoppable
From Russia with love 'ADVENTURE'S IN MY BLOOD'
Victoria's glad she took the leap of faith, even though it was a desperate act
Marata's supporting role 'NIKKI'S THE REAL WARRIOR'
The league star pays tribute to his soulmate who lives with a painful condition
Stronger than ever WILLS & KATE'S ENDURING LOVE
Through all life's challenges, the royal soulmates are there for each other
Four kids and a party JESSE'S BRINGING THE FUN!
The TV host is dancing to his own beat when it comes to fatherhood and fame