Meet the 86-year-old marathon man from Strabane

File photo dated 18/04/19 of London Marathon Ever Present runner Ken Jones at his home in Strabane Co. Londonderry. PA Photo. Issue date: Tuesday February 4, 2020. See PA story SPORT Marathon. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Ken Jones is living proof that there is nothing dishonourable about slowing down.

Considering the 86-year-old is one of an exclusive group about to take part in his 40th London Marathon, he can easily be forgiven for not having his sights set on beating his personal best.

Ken, who has been living in Strabane since 2003, ran his first marathon in 1965 from Windsor to Chiswick: “In 1967 I did it again in a time of two hours and 41 minutes, that was my best ever time.

“I’ve done 20 marathons under three hours but now as I’ve got older I’m getting slower and slower and slower.”

Born in London, Ken now considers himself at home in NI, listing the Walled City Marathon in Londonderry as the pick of the races he has run over the years.

Ken, who will be three weeks short of 87 when he is running the London Marathon, said: “It’ll take me about six and three quarter hours, but at least I can still do it at that age. I do it to keep me fit and healthy. That’s it.”

When I spoke with Ken last week he had just finished his training for the day: “No running for me today, I went swimming instead. Only for 20 minutes, but it’s enough to get all the joints working.

“I try to keep active almost every day, but the weather around here is often horrible, so I can’t always be outdoors.”

Ken’s London Marathon medal haul. The bottom left medal is from the first marathon in 1981.

Ken said he has been living an active lifestyle for nearly 70 years: “I joined the Army in 1951, since then I’ve been running, exercising.

“I just can’t run these days. I’m too old. Most of my training is five or six miles, walking.

“I don’t do long distances now. I’ll do the marathon, yes, but I’ll be walking.”