Retired Portsmouth man to complete his 100th park run at 83 years old in a stunning fitness feat

Colin Towner will be running the milestone race on July 23 in Southsea, leaving his family overjoyed at his accomplishment.

The pensioner started taking part in the park run, which is a 5k race, after his daughter-in-law, Naouelle Mchugh introduced him to the weekend activity.

Naouelle, 41, was the runner in the family and frequently was involved in park runs.

Colin, who is a retired vicar, completed his first park run on October 28, 2017, and has been taking part ever since, with his best time averaging at 36 minutes.

His daughter in law said that he usually sits around the half way mark on the list of runners, but in many of the park runs he has been faster than many youngsters, which she said he should be proud of himself for.

He used to work at St Judes Church in Southsea where he spent years working alongside lots of people in the community, and after retirement he still attends church weekly with his wife Sue, who is one of his biggest supporters of his running.

The parkrun had to take a break during the pandemic, but the moment that it started again Colin got back on the running track and gave it his all to get to his goal.

Naouelle said: ‘It is an amazing achievement for him.’

Colin, who has 11 grandchildren, will be supported by his entire family as he takes part in his 100th park run.

He runs once a week aside from at the weekend where he runs with other local residents and he has completed 94 park runs at Portsmouth Lakeside, with the remainder taking place at Southsea.

Upon the completion of his 100th parkrun, Colin will receive a T-shirt to mark his remarkable achievement. He has already received his top for his 50th park run which he wears whilst running.

Naouelle added: ‘I think he is going to keep going. He is there every week, so there is no slowing him down.

‘All of his family are very proud of him.’