March 6, 2008: 101-year-old runs marathon
 

http://cellar.org/2008/marathonman.jpg

This British gentleman is Buster Martin, and he is 101 years old. The father of 17 returned to work as a plumber three years ago "because he was bored." But apparently that wasn't enough to keep him entertained, because now he has taken up running marathons.

First he ran the Roding Valley half-marathon in Essex (with a time of 5 hours and 13 minutes,) and is now focusing on the full-length London Marathon. If he makes it, he will officially become the world's oldest competitive athlete. His trainer has experience in these matters, having previously helped Fauja Singh, 96, break the London marathon record for the over-90 category.

His personal secret to staying young, of course, is no secret. The BBC reports that, on finishing the half-marathon run, the first words of the working plumber were: "Where's my beer?"

He's 101?!!!

He looks between 55 and 70 to me.

If President Bush had a beard, he would look like that. How old is Bush?

I should think by the time you're 101, you've earned the right to walk.

He's like the Rosie Ruiz of aged marathon runners. Snuck in at 62 but says he was there for the whole 101.

Perhaps we can use old people as slaves

<--- is enjoying the feel good human story :p

Huh?

' ya know, it's true that old people, although slow and dangerous behind the wheel, can still serve a purpose. Now don't you go dying on me!' - The great Lloyd Christmas

I'm putting that guy in his late 50's. I just see 101 years in this guy's face.

Well alcohol is a preservative.

i think the big news here isn't that he's 101 ... but the father of 17! good lord.

Nahhhhhh. He'd look more like an idiot hiding behind a beard.

I bet he's already outlived a few of them, too. :(

How can it possibly be a fraud, he even has his own Wikipedia page! :rolleyes:

He also doesn't reveal his first name, which is maybe a tidbit suspicious...

And he smokes, too. Since he was seven, as he claims in this YouTube video.

"I like me smokes, an' I like me bitter."

I'm a little suspicious, but, well, I know nothing. If he lives another 30, he was a fraud. :eyebrow:

"Where's my beer?"
And he smokes, too. Since he was seven, as he claims in this YouTube video.
Ok, he's really only 17, and has 101 kids.

British teeth! :lol:

As far as I can recall, all the people who live to remarkable old ages all do things we've been told will lead to early deaths... drink, smoke, eat no veggies..... I wonder if that's because they don't report the ones who live "healthily", or because is it is a cae of everyhting in moderation and old age has more to do with genetics and luck?
The video concentrates on his drinking and smoking since he was 7. Posters here seem to doubt this. But they didn't know these things were bad then. Plus he doesn't have the tobaco stains in his facial hair a heavy smoker does. Or the burst capillaries of a heavy drinker. And he didn't need to smoke during the interview. He seems to be a fine example of "moderation is the key" to me.

And he's a Brit, so he rocks ;)