One of Britain's oldest runners crossed the finish line of 15-mile run with fellow jogger holding his hand
SWNS
2023-02-02
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This is the moment of Britain's oldest runners crossed the finish line of a muddy 15-mile race - with a fellow jogger holding his hand.
Albert Miles, 86, was being convinced to pull out of the popular race by a paramedic with just three miles to go.
This was until a fellow runner agreed to complete the last leg with him.
Albert, from Rayleigh, Essex, had slipped and slid down the muddy course, falling in nine inches of mud multiple times and grazing his nose, legs and arm.
He was in a sorry state but was determined not to give up on his fifteenth Benfleet race in Essex which was to be his "swan song".
Albert has completed 20 marathons across the UK and US, 22 Great North Runs and 65 half marathons, but he said this muddy track was by far his hardest challenge.
The retired Ford worker said: "Old age crept up on me. It was the hardest run I've ever done.
"At 10 miles I was getting tired, there were a few short sharp hills. I tripped up on a curb, I don't know why but down I went.
"I really struggled towards the end, I hate hills.
"I had three miles to go but the fall really knocked the wind out of me. My nose and elbow were bleeding, some medics gave me a tissue to stuff up my nose.
"They tried to persuade me to finish there and then- 'you've done 12 miles, why bother with the rest?'
"I'd started so I wanted to finish- I may never do this race again!
"And we made it! The last bit was hard hard work, going through the mud a second time.
"David Davidson who was with me pulled me out of the mud three times- my legs wouldn't work.
"I'd still have been stuck there now if it wasn't for him."
Emotional footage shows Albert being helped over the finish line by the hand of a fellow jogger, whilst two others walk alongside him before he is presented with his trophy.
Since the race on Jan 15 he has completed his 209th Parkrun event and is aiming to hit his 250th in 2024.
He currently holds the record for an over 80-year-old at the Basildon and Hadleigh Parkruns in Essex.
Albert first joined the Castle Point Joggers running club in 1992 and said they have been so supportive over the last three decades.
Adam Poulton, a runner at Castle Point Joggers and a friend of Albert’s, added: “I first met Bert not long after I joined the club in 2014, he was 76 then and I was bowled over by him.
“Albert is a real inspiration to our club, and at now 86, he is our oldest Castle Point Joggers member, but he just keeps going.
“You never hear him moan, his determination and commitment to running is unbelievable.
“He is a wonderful man, a real gentleman, and it is a privilege to have him as a member of our club.”
On why he keeps running, Albert, who lives at home with his wife Patricia, 88, said: "I don't know why I do it, I just enjoy it so I carry on.
"My wife thinks I'm an idiot, after the very first marathon she said, 'no more!'
"I've got no ideas of packing it in, that's for sure."
Albert Miles, 86, was being convinced to pull out of the popular race by a paramedic with just three miles to go.
This was until a fellow runner agreed to complete the last leg with him.
Albert, from Rayleigh, Essex, had slipped and slid down the muddy course, falling in nine inches of mud multiple times and grazing his nose, legs and arm.
He was in a sorry state but was determined not to give up on his fifteenth Benfleet race in Essex which was to be his "swan song".
Albert has completed 20 marathons across the UK and US, 22 Great North Runs and 65 half marathons, but he said this muddy track was by far his hardest challenge.
The retired Ford worker said: "Old age crept up on me. It was the hardest run I've ever done.
"At 10 miles I was getting tired, there were a few short sharp hills. I tripped up on a curb, I don't know why but down I went.
"I really struggled towards the end, I hate hills.
"I had three miles to go but the fall really knocked the wind out of me. My nose and elbow were bleeding, some medics gave me a tissue to stuff up my nose.
"They tried to persuade me to finish there and then- 'you've done 12 miles, why bother with the rest?'
"I'd started so I wanted to finish- I may never do this race again!
"And we made it! The last bit was hard hard work, going through the mud a second time.
"David Davidson who was with me pulled me out of the mud three times- my legs wouldn't work.
"I'd still have been stuck there now if it wasn't for him."
Emotional footage shows Albert being helped over the finish line by the hand of a fellow jogger, whilst two others walk alongside him before he is presented with his trophy.
Since the race on Jan 15 he has completed his 209th Parkrun event and is aiming to hit his 250th in 2024.
He currently holds the record for an over 80-year-old at the Basildon and Hadleigh Parkruns in Essex.
Albert first joined the Castle Point Joggers running club in 1992 and said they have been so supportive over the last three decades.
Adam Poulton, a runner at Castle Point Joggers and a friend of Albert’s, added: “I first met Bert not long after I joined the club in 2014, he was 76 then and I was bowled over by him.
“Albert is a real inspiration to our club, and at now 86, he is our oldest Castle Point Joggers member, but he just keeps going.
“You never hear him moan, his determination and commitment to running is unbelievable.
“He is a wonderful man, a real gentleman, and it is a privilege to have him as a member of our club.”
On why he keeps running, Albert, who lives at home with his wife Patricia, 88, said: "I don't know why I do it, I just enjoy it so I carry on.
"My wife thinks I'm an idiot, after the very first marathon she said, 'no more!'
"I've got no ideas of packing it in, that's for sure."
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