So How Old Is Buster The “Oldest London Marathon Runner”

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Last month I posted about the World’s Oldest Competitive Runner and ‘Buster’ Martin’s amazing 5 hour half marathon.

Well, this past Sunday, ‘Buster’ crossed the finish line at the London Marathon in a little over 10 hours - another amazing feat by the 101 year old from London. However, his claim to be the oldest man to complete the 26-mile route is now in doubt after it emerged he may not be quite as advanced in age as he has claimed.

Buster - real name Pierre Jean Martin - reportedly told NHS staff that he was born on September 1, 1913, not 1906, as had been previously claimed and the bizarre dispute blew up after Guinness World Records refused to back up his impressive feat.

An official spokeswoman has confirmed he will not be entered into the Guinness Book of Records because it is impossible to verify his age.

‘Buster’ insists the marathon was never about a world record and his intention was to raise a large sum of money for charity. I say, whether Buster is 94 or 104, what a great effort and what a great guy! My favorite part of the whole story? ‘Buster’ stopped at the halfway mark for a pint of beer and a cigarette to help him on his way? I wonder if there will be a beer stop at the Frederick Marathon on May 4th? If it’s good enough for ‘Buster’, it’s good enough for me….