John Stabroek is unstoppable.
The Brit, known as ‘The Legend’, has run 52 marathons at the age of 93 and trains in the gym six days a week.
“Spin class gets your body moving.” Mr Stabroek told the Guardian on Sunday.. “Then, around 4 or 5 p.m., I go back to upper body training.”
He has been an excellent swimmer for nearly 80 years, ever since he was a teenager. He honed his skills while serving in the Army Medical Corps.
To celebrate turning 80, he swam about a mile across Corrivreckan Bay, between the Scottish islands of Jura and Scarva. He still swims three times a week and also plays water polo.
Stabroek also started running at the age of 53 and ran a personal best marathon time of 4 hours 14 minutes in North Wales early this century. He last completed a 46.2-mile race in 2019 at age 88.
he Oldest finisher of the 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon87 years old.
The former egg delivery boy finished first in his age group with a time of 8 hours, 21 minutes and 44 seconds.
“About 10 or 15 years ago, my doctor said to me, ‘You’ve got to do a lot of exercise,'” Stabroek told the Guardian. I said, “Yes, it’s okay.” After that, I ran about 15 marathons. ”
The Staines, Middlesex, resident attributes his longevity of athletic ability to genetics.
“I didn’t do anything special,” he confessed to the Guardian. My eating habits are quite normal. I eat porridge in the morning and a lot of vegetables, but I don’t eat many fried foods. ”
He also said, “I’ve never been concerned about anything.”
He admits to having occasional health problems, including mild arthritis in one knee and an irregular heartbeat, which he treats with blood thinners.
“I thought I would live until I was 70,” he told the Guardian, now in his 90s. “When I was young, I thought, ‘Will I still be alive in the year 2000?’ That was in 1945. I won’t reach 3,000 anyway.”
Stabrook serves as an ambassador uk agewhich has raised tens of thousands of dollars for charities and inspired people over 50 to get active.
The father of three, who retired 28 years ago, recommends older adults start simply by jogging a mile or two and walking if needed.
You should use the extra time you have after retirement to go to the gym. Try to have fun, but don’t overdo it.
“Many people seem to think they’re old when they turn 50.” Mr Stabroek told The Telegraph in 2022.. “I hear it, but I don’t understand what it’s saying.”
Ms Stabroek’s advice comes in the wake of advice for women to become active by the age of 55 so they can reap the health benefits as they age.
