While running gains popularity among younger generations, an 88-year-old man demonstrates that the sport appeals to all ages. Harry Newton, the oldest competitor in this Sunday’s London Marathon, began his running career unexpectedly at age 57. The former grocer from Macclesfield has since finished 31 marathons, including 21 in London and one completed by circling his garden 461 times during pandemic restrictions.
Newton offers straightforward advice to beginners: maintain a consistent speed, avoid rushing, and ensure comfort before starting. His 85-year-old wife, Phyllis, finds his passion amusing but supports him fully. She will join about 20 family members to cheer him on this year, where he benefits from VIP privileges like a flexible start time and private facilities.
Newton’s entry into marathons began at a grocers’ conference in the Lake District, where a speaker from a confectionery company encouraged fundraising for charity through the event. He received an application shortly after and started training in late 1994, despite no prior running experience from his farming and grocery work.
His preparation for the first race was limited; his longest practice run was nine miles due to knee problems. A doctor warned that his joint showed age-related damage and might not endure the distance, but with sponsorship commitments, Newton proceeded. He completed it in five hours and 10 minutes by alternating running and walking, though he felt sore for weeks afterward.
The experience hooked him, leading to ongoing participation, including the garden marathon during lockdowns. He measured his yard at about 110 yards and looped it until reaching the full distance.
His fastest London time is three hours, 52 minutes, and 30 seconds, achieved at age 70. Last September, he finished a marathon in Morecambe in five hours and 56 minutes, qualifying him for an age-group entry. For Sunday, he will wear high-performance Saucony shoes purchased on sale.
Professional runner Julia Paternain, a world championship bronze medalist also wearing similar shoes, praises Newton’s feat as motivational and enjoys sharing the event with him.
Newton plans to continue as long as his health allows, accepting that times will slow with age. He advises older aspiring runners to consult physiotherapists for strengthening routines to prevent injuries and to try the sport without hesitation, noting that minor aches often fade during activity.
