A 97-year-old Second World War veteran and runner isn’t letting his age slow him down.
Albert Booth, who hails from Lebanon, Pa., retired in the 1970s and ran his first race on May 27, 1978. He hasn’t stopped since.
“When I was a teenager I played a lot of soccer,” he told WGAL News. “Most people believe I’m in my 70s. Even the people at the VA [Veteran’s Affairs] don’t believe it.”
The active senior said he tries to compete in weekly races and keeps a detailed record of each competition, including four marathons.
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Last month, he finished a local five-kilometre race. While this year’s results aren’t yet available, records show that he finished the Give Thanks Lebanon 5K in just over one hour in 2015.
He said his doctors are “amazed.”
“The doctor out at the VA hospital says, ‘Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it.’”
Booth said he doesn’t intend to stop running anytime soon.
“I enjoy the camaraderie,” he said. “A lot of runners say, ‘You’re an inspiration. If you can keep going so can we.’”
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