OAP marathon runner makes comeback - after missing his bus (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)

OAP marathon runner makes comeback - after missing his bus

2:30pm Saturday 19th January 2013 in Clacton and Frinton News

AN OAP runner who only took up the sport again after missing a bus is set to show the young guns how it is done at this year’s London Marathon.

Pensioner John Tofts, of Thorpe Road, Weeley, will run the 26.2-mile route at the age of 70.

Veteran pavement-pounder John ran his first marathon in Colchester nearly 30 years ago.

Since then he has completed several races, including the London Marathon in 1997.

It has been a while since Mr Tofts last ran a marathon, but he was inspired to don his running shoes again after missing a bus.

“I was going from my home in Weeley to Clacton," he said.

"I missed my bus so I decided to start walking.

“It is about eight miles and it showed me I’m a bit fitter than I thought.

“It put the idea of the marathon in my head. I started doing the maths and I decided to take part again.

“The whole thing is a bit more daunting than it was once, but I’m looking forward to it and I know I can still do it.”

John’s best marathon time is less than four-and-a-half hours.

He celebrates his 70th birthday in March and is running the marathon in aid of Look, a charity for the visually impaired.

John added: “The time isn’t really important to me anymore. I just want to raise as much as I can for charity."