She may have been the oldest female runner to take part in Sunday’s London Marathon, but 84-year-old Eileen Nobel from Bexleyheath in south-east London sees herself as no different to her younger peers.
“I don’t think of myself as being older, I just think, well, I’m just another runner with them,” the inspirational Eileen told BBC News in the lead up to Sunday’s prestigious Virgin Money London Marathon.
Eileen came to running later in her life at the age of 50, and has been unstoppable ever since.
“When I saw other people running, I wanted to do it. Even when I went the first time, just went around the block, huffing and puffing, I got back and I thought ‘That was great. I must do that again tomorrow,” she told the BBC.
The marathon business is now old hat to Eileen, who became a fifteen-time marathon runner after stepping over the finish line in an incredible time of 6 hours, 28 minutes and 7 seconds on Sunday. And while for many people the London marathon is the pinnacle of their running career, it was Eileen’s second consecutive year being the oldest female runner to complete the marathon.
Eileen is just one-year junior to the marathon’s oldest runner, 85-year-old Ken Jones from Northern Ireland.
The amazing woman follows a strict regime when training for a marathon, running three times a week for four or five miles, and then running a greater distance on Sundays.
If you know an amazing woman doing something inspirational like Eileen, nominate her for our Amazing Women Awards 2019 - but be quick, because TODAY is the last day for nominations!
Eileen has praised her favourite pastime for its positive effect on her mental health, telling the BBC, “If you’ve got any stresses or worries it seems to make them clear away. You come back [and] feel so much happier.
“I can’t imagine not running because it’s so much a part of my life now,” the amazing woman said. “If nothing desperate happens that really stops you, I can’t see why you can’t just go on.”
We hope to see a triumphant Eileen and many more like her cross the finish line at next year’s marathon, too.
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