An 88-year-old man, John
Ruengo, who has also set his sights on becoming the oldest marathoner alive, will be out to retain the half marathon title he won last year in the category of people aged above 52 years.
Meet 87 year old John Ruengo Gituchi.
— Msupa M (@Mollage_) February 26, 2019
He has participated in 19 #SafaricomMarathon events.
There’s really no excuse. 😀 pic.twitter.com/bxMBN8NWdl
Speaking to media on Friday during a pre-race competition meant to identify amateur athletes to represent the community living around Lewa Conservancy in the marathon,
Age is nothing but a number, John Ruengo the oldest runner in the marathon and he’s only 88 years old.#SafaricomMarathon pic.twitter.com/v9J0pV8gpF
— MissOwira🇰🇪 (@shyolympia) June 30, 2018
The retired community development officer from Mutunyi Village in Meru County has participated and completed in the 21km race in all previous 19 editions of Lewa Marathon.
“I don’t take alcohol because it ruins an athlete’s chances of winning. It is a great enemy to any runner. I ensure I take plenty of vegetables with every meal, and I buy camel bone soup from Isiolo town,” said Ruengo.
The veteran athlete said he religiously jogs for five
In the forthcoming race, Ruengo will be up against his eldest son, Bernard Wachira, while his other son, James Njogu will also compete. Njogu’s daughter Nyaguthii who is also Ruengo’s granddaughter will compete in the race.
“I could be the oldest marathoner in the world after (British Sikh centenarian marathon runner of Punjabi Indian descent) Fauja Singh retired in 2013 at 101 years. He sent me a letter urging me to carry on,”
Lewa Community Development Manager John Kinoti said they were hoping to raise money to boost conservation activities and help the local community get enough water for drinking and for agriculture.
Ruengo once represented Kenya in the full marathon in the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games (now known as the Commonwealth Games) held in Perry Lakes Stadium in Perth, Australia.