Posted on 03/06/2008 2:46:14 PM PST by NormsRevenge
LONDON (Reuters) - Already Britain's oldest employee, 101-year-old Buster Martin now aims to become the world's oldest marathon runner by completing the London Marathon and celebrating with a pint of beer and a cigarette.
Sprightly and bearded, he completed a half marathon at the weekend in five hours 13 minutes. The former Army physical training instructor works three days a week for a London plumbing firm and says he has trained for the April 13th race in his spare time.
"I've said I'll attempt it," he told Reuters by telephone from his workplace at Pimlico Plumbers. "I haven't said I'll complete it. If I do make it, all the better. I hadn't thought of doing it before but someone asked me and the money goes to charity so why not?"
His sponsorship money will go to the Rhys Daniels Trust, which provides temporary accommodation for families of patients in specialist children's hospitals.
Martin, who had 17 children and returned to work at the age of 99 saying he was bored after two years of retirement, would beat the previous record for world's oldest marathon runner by eight years.
"If I finish, I'll do what I always do and have a pint and a fag," he said. "People ask what is my secret but I haven't got one. They say fags and booze are bad for you -- but I'm still here, aren't I?"
A handout photograph shows Britain's oldest employee, 101-year-old Buster Martin, posing for the camera during a training session in Archbishop's Park, central London on February 13, 2007. Martin aims to become the world's oldest marathon runner by completing the London Marathon and celebrating with a pint of beer and a cigarette. Sprightly and bearded, he recently completed a half marathon in five hours 13 minutes. (Mario Rebellato/Handout/Reuters)
Heads Up,, a fag is a cigarette in this case so let’s not go there, OK? ;-)
yep. nothing like fags and booze. bwahahahahaha! watch 'em try to call that hate speech.
Wow, this guy was in his seventies when I was born.
Sometimes English doesn't translate exactly into American.
5:13 for a half is 2-1/2 miles per hour
the average person WALKS 4 mph
training hard?
I thought a fag was one addicted to cigarettes.
No, this is not the Queen’s English either, eh? lol
Dude, he’s 101!
I know 20 year olds who couldn’t complete a marathon.
I’ve done one myself, it ain’t easy...
Come on, the dude’s over 100.
Heads Up,, a fag is a cigarette in this case so let’s not go there, OK? ;-)
____________________________
Too late, Norm. We are already there.
(Barney Frank just announced his plans to congratulate Mr. Martin in person)
you won't be able to blow your nose in 5:13 when you're 101, odds are.
fortheluvofgawd.
“I thought a fag was one addicted to cigarettes.”
Close.
A fag is addicted to sucking on things; bit like cigs, in that way.
From the picture, I think he might be part Neanderthal.
Mr. Martin may be the manliest man who ever lived. He's nearly old enough to be my great-great grandfather, but I'm pretty sure he could still kick my rear end.
WOW, I am so proud of him! YES!!!!
That’s the healthiest looking 100 year old I’ve ever seen. Go man!
I LOVE it.
He really only looks about 75 or 80. I just hope this marathon doesn’t do him in.
God bless him.
Thanks for posting this, I needed a good laugh. A 100+ year old guy that can still say and do what he wants. I hope there are people that pledge $100 a mile. It would be worth it.
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