He started out as a 10,000 metre runner and finished fifth in that event at the 1986 Commonwealth Games. He ran his first marathon at the same meet winning the bronze medal. His first marathon victory was in Berlin in 1990 in the time of 2:08:16, coming only a couple of weeks after winning the Great North Run in 1:00:34. In 1991 he set the course record of 40:03 for Sydney's iconic 14 km City 2 Surf, which still stands. In 1994 he won the Tokyo Marathon and the marathon at the Commonwealth Games. He came 3rd in the 1997 World Championships marathon race. He has also competed in the marathon at four Olympic Games; 1988 in Seoul, 1992 in Barcelona,