TEVIOTDALE Harrier Alastair Walker has become the first man over the age of 65 to run 3000m indoors in less than 10 minutes.
Alastair broke the world record at the 4J Scottish masters’ 3,000m indoor championships in Glasgow last Sunday.
The former Scotland international clocked up a time of 9:59, breaking the previous record of 10:02 set by Netherlands runner Cess Stolwijk in 2015.
He gave up competitive running for 20 years but returned to compete in Masters events and now also holds world records at 10k and 5k categories.
He is now setting his sights on the World Masters’ Championships at Tampere in Finland in July.
Alistair told us: “It was great to get under 10 minutes at the 3,000. I don’t think it’s ever been done before. I’m training by running around 8-miles each day with 18 on a Sunday which averages around 70-miles each week.
“I used to run at a good standard and did 66-minute half-marathons but gave up between the ages of 38-58. I think that has actually saved my legs because many of the people I ran against years ago no longer run.
“The masters competitions are great because it gives you an incentive and I get a real buzz from it.
“I’ve not long turned 65 and the age class runs for five years so I’m hoping I can get a few more records. There are a few I think are within my capabilities.”
Now retired Alistair was formerly employed at Hawick’s Lyle and Scott textile factory for over 30 years and later at Galashiels logistics firm Sykes Global Services.
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