Some might say the story of 101-year-old Buster Martin is an inspiration. We say it makes us wanna puke. It’s not because he’s super old, it’s because he’s super old and he could smoke us in a race. However, we will not be competing against him in the London Marathon in mid-April. We choose not to run.
The 101-year-old London resident has announced plans to compete in his city’s marathon April 13, which will make him the oldest person to compete in a marathon.
“I’ve said I’ll attempt it,” Martin told Reuters. “I haven’t said I’ll complete it.”
Martin did run in, and finish, a half-marathon in Essex last Sunday, with his first words at the finish reported to be, “Where’s my beer?”
He plans to celebrate the London Marathon in similar fashion.
“I’ll do what I always do and have a pint and a [cigarette],” Martin told Reuters. “People ask what is my secret, but I haven’t got one. They say [cigarettes] and booze are bad for you, but I’m still here, aren’t I?
Hey, it seems to work for Amy Winehouse and you can’t argue with the results. Martin has produced 17 kids in his century-plus on the planet and he just finished a 13-mile half marathon in a bit over five hours! According to Martin, he could have finished the race with a better time if he didn’t stop for a beer and a smoke!
Links:
[LATimes.com]: At age 101, British runner can get by on fumes
[ABC News]: He’s 101 and Training for Marathon