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Improving with age

April 30, 2009 15:26
84 vintage: Paul Freedman

ByAnonymous, Anonymous

1 min read

What are the racing secrets of the oldest London Marathon entrant?

According to 84-year-old Paul Freedman, they are “to keep active, do as much charity work as possible and have a sense of humour”.

Mr Freedman has taken part in all but one of the last 19 London events — the sole exception was because of a heart attack. A lifelong commitment to fundraising was recognised in 2008 with the award of an MBE.

This year he raised over £8,000 for the St Francis Hospice in Romford, near his Hornchurch home. “It does a fantastic service and when I lost my wife two years ago they gave her loads of help. For that I’ll always be grateful.”

His race time of 6 hours 19 minutes was 10 minutes faster than last year and he says he is not finished yet.“My aim is to do another two to make it to 20.”