New Thanet AC member Ray Butler is taking part in the London Marathon on Sunday - aged 78. Butler’s arrival at the club was largely down to chance after chairman Julien Lawton first saw him out making strides. After starting a conversation the next time he spotted him, it turned out Butler was far more than your average runner.
“I noticed him running a good pace along the seafront,” said Lawton. “When I later saw him walking his dog, I started a conversation and asked him about his running. It transpires Ray can run a sub four-hour marathon and is ranked seventh in the country for his age group.
“Ray is 78 so competes as a master in the V75 bracket. “What’s even more amazing is that Ray only started running at the age of 60, having done nothing beforehand. “He’s real testimony to a positive mindset and how just having a go can achieve something great.
“Ray runs in the London Marathon this year and I’m proud that he is wearing a Thanet AC vest.”.
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Ray still full of running

Ray Butler only began running aged 60 - but at 78 he’s showing no signs of slowing down and will be on the startline for Sunday’s London Marathon.