NETWORK18

Hot Topics » Karnataka Elections | Eye on Bangalore What’s New » Crosswords | Sudoku Subscribe » RSS | Podcast

Font Size A+A-

Meet 101-yr old beer-loving marathon runner

TimePublished on Thu, Mar 13, 2008 at 15:08, Updated at Thu, Mar 13, 2008 in Lifestyle section

NOT QUITE OLD SCHOOL: Buster Martin will be the oldest marathon runner ever if he finishes.

NOT QUITE OLD SCHOOL: Buster Martin will be the oldest marathon runner ever if he finishes.


People who read this also read:

Featured Blog

Featured Slideshows

Ads by Google

London: In the reception area at Pimlico Plumbers, news clips about him play on a loop. ‘Buster’ Martin is 101 years old and is believed to be Britain's oldest employee.

He washes vans at Pimlico three to four days a week.

“They try to keep you down, but I'm afraid I'm not one of them that likes to be kept down. Before coming in I've already done an hour's run,” Buster says.

You heard right, before coming in, he's already done an hour's run. In fact, Buster's signed up to run the London Marathon next month. If he finishes, he'll be the oldest person to compete in a marathon ever. Helping him with his preparations will be a personal trainer, courtesy Pimlico Plumbers.

After a brief warm-up, Buster takes his first break. Not for water, but 'Buster's bitter'.

CNN: So tell me about this beer?

Buster: The brewery…they made it specially for me.

CNN: I hear you have 17 children?

Buster: Yeah, so that wasn't unusual in my day.

All with his one and only wife who passed some years ago. He says he's never found another woman as good. But he has found a bit of international fame. He's so popular that Pimlico Plumbers have assigned him a permanent plumber-turned-minder.

“I tend to take him to the TV studios and stuff like that,” Buster’s minder Jim Foot says.

Foot has his money on buster finishing all 26-and-a-half miles.

“Buster did a half-marathon in five hours and he didn't seem to struggle with that too much. So I'm sure as the beers keep coming he'll be ok,” Foot says.

“I thought well, actually it might do something for older people the way they get treated. I was a nobody and then all of a sudden, I'm a somebody and I can't understand why they make such a fuss?” Buster asks.

On this day, he's also being followed by a student photographer, and has telephone interviews with journalists in New York and India.

“Start with your right and you can catch ‘em out!” Buster explains.

After a round of boxing, Buster takes his second break with, yes, another pint.

CNN: So do you think you're gonna finish this marathon?

Buster: Well I'm gonna try. Never say I think I will. I'll try.

As for working, he says he'll stay on at Pimlico Plumbers until the end. After all he says, it pays for his beer.

Ads by Google

Save & Share Article: DiggDeliciousNewsvineReditFarkYahoo

Related links:

Total Comments: 0

Copyright © IBNLive.com. All rights reserved. Reproduction of news articles, photos, videos or any other content in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of IBNLive.com is prohibited.

About Us | Disclaimer | Careers @ IBN | RSS | Podcast | Contact Us | Feedback | Advertise With Us

© 2008 IBNLive.com India. All Rights Reserved. A Web18 Venture