Somerset runner, 81, set to run Swansea Half Marathon for England
An 81-year-old from Somerset who runs more than 50 miles (80km) a week has been selected to run Swansea Half Marathon for England.Peter Madelaine, from Wedmore, started running cross country at the age of 11 after struggling with his grades while at boarding school in Snowdonia.The retired astrophysicist, who is a member of Mensa, was later diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism in his 60s.He said he running brought him a "new kind of freedom" as a child - and he has stuck with it ever since
Mr Madelaine said he wants to break the stereotype that "if you're 80, you're bent over with a stick in a pub"."It's rubbish," he added. "I don't feel like my age, my brain still ticks over fine."
He said his love of running began with a chance meeting with someone who did cross country after school."I went along and someone helped me through the first two miles. When you actually come to run a couple of miles for the first time it hurts," he said."It just developed from there."Mr Madelaine was headhunted to run for England after success at recent races.He came second in his age group at the Bristol Half Marathon, qualifying to run that race for England next year, too.
He said "running out there in the fresh air" is "a new kind of freedom"."There's a local farmer who often sees me go past all the time and we often have a chat. You get used to seeing the same people [on a run]," he added.However, he said running so frequently has its downsides. "If you're running up to 50 miles (80km) a week like me, you have to change your trainers every 10 weeks," he said.Mr Madelaine will run in the Swansea Half Marathon on 8 June.
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