Athlete hits century of 13-mile runs

11:37am Sat Dec 10, 2011

A 77-year-old Notfast runner has completed his 100th half-marathon — his 138th competitive run.

George Combes, of Strawberry Hall Lane, Newark, completed the Clowne Half-marathon, in Derbyshire, in a shade outside three hours, cheered on by more than a dozen Notfast members at the finish line.

Combes’ achievement is all the more remarkable because he only took up running at the age of 59.

To commemorate his feat Combes was presented with a specially-commissioned engraved award.

As well as his 100 half-marathon runs, the veteran has completed eight London Marathons.

Reflecting on his running history, Combes said: “This journey all began back when my good friend Mick Baggaley made it clear to me I needed to lose weight.

“I had never tried running before but I was getting a bit of a pot belly, so he challenged me to run five miles non stop and if I could I had to join the club — I completed it and the rest is history.

“In the last 12 months the runs have been getting harder, and the older I get it takes longer to recover.

“I have not really been keeping count but everyone else kept telling me to keep going to get my hundred and I am delighted I have finally got there. I might stop running them now.”

Notfast publicity officer Bob Oakham said: “Notfast Running Club salutes you George, a true sportsman, a smashing club mate and a real running gentleman.”

Diane Thorpe and Martin Dickenson also finished the race, both in 2-10-25.

l NOTFAST’S Colin Green and Richard Brumby were two of 550 participants in the Edwinstowe Christmas 10km Trail Race at Sherwood Forest.

Green clocked 1-4-30. Brumby finished slightly further ahead in 53-25.

Green took part a day after the 24.5m Rudolph Romp, in Brough, East Yorkshire, where he clocked 7-04-00.