THE LONDON Marathon’s oldest runner shows no sign of stopping after finishing his 37th race in under seven hours.
Defying all odds and pair of 83-year-old knees is Ken Jones who is more than familiar with the epic test of stamina.
Among the record 40,382 people lining up, the former policeman from Chingford was the oldest.
But being the oldest is not Ken’s only claim to fame – he is a member of ‘The Ever Presents’.
Age is just a number for Ken
Since the London Marathon started in 1981, the group has completed every single gruelling edition of the 26.2 mile contest.
The all-male group dwindled down to just 11 members this year, ranging in age from Chris Finill at 57, who finished fastest in under three hours, to Ken, who crossed the finishing line at six hours and 41 minutes.
For the past 54 years Ken has been running for the Chingford-based Orion Harriers, donning his club’s white vest with red stripes for all of his 103 marathons.
Those watching Ken on TV said his efforts were “amazing”, with fan John Horne calling him a “truly inspirational chap”.
@bbcbreakfast
— John Horne (@johnhorneartist) April 23, 2017
Wow Kenneth Jones oldest man running the London marathon at 83, amazing. A truly inspirational chap. I wonder who is the
Matthew Thomas said he was a “legend” calling on spectators to cheer him on as he ran by.
Ken Jones is a legend...give him a cheer tomorrow, oldest runner in the London Marathon and has run every london m… https://t.co/EnF0idlXxV pic.twitter.com/6khqog6hHT
— Matthew Thomas (@TommyCharityRun) April 22, 2017
Good luck to all marathon runners today esp ken jones oldest runner 🏃🏽💪🏾Virgin Money London Marathon https://t.co/TdJs1bBYU1
— Carmel Boston (@Choice_SW) April 23, 2017
Youngest (Bronte, 18) and oldest (Ken, 83)
Before the race, Ken told the Chingford Guardian he was not feeling fit because “he is an old man” but said he would never let his age get in the way.
He said: “It’s very difficult to run, in my earlier days I could do it in under three hours.
“You do lose your sparkle, most people are in a nursing home when they get to my age.”
Despite his modesty, Ken managed to come in four minutes faster than his time last year after predicting he would be thirty minutes slower.
The key to his age-defying success is rather predictably keeping away from alcohol, cigarettes and overeating.
He added: “I’m always keeping healthy, going out for walks and gardening.”
Ken left his beloved Chingford behind in 2004 to live with his wife Nora in Northern Ireland, returning once every year for the London Marathon.
Ken said he still misses running his daily ten miles through the glory of Epping Forest.
He said: “It’s really all down to my wife, she tells me ‘to go on get out there’ and has always supported me.
"I just hope I inspire more people to get running, they won't regret it."
For Ken, the sight of Buckingham Palace with a 100 yards to go is his favourite moment throughout the course, as his mind wanders to next year.
He added: “It might be my last but I’ll be back next year.”
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