81-year-old runner undaunted by Fife tour challenge series

A sprightly Fife octogenarian is refusing to slow down.

At an age when most people want to put their feet up, 81-year-old Sandy Chalmers is doing just the opposite.

The Anster Haddies Running Club member was the first athlete over the age of 80 to take part in the Sweatshop Tour of Fife race series in north east Fife.

The event is a testing series of five races in five days.

Major heart surgery to have his aortic valve replaced last year failed to stop Sandy in his tracks and he completed all five races, finishing ahead of runners much younger in years than him.

He is a veteran of 50 full marathons, including no fewer than 15 in London and others in Barcelona, New York, Boston and Honolulu.

Races took place at Hill of Tarvit, Cambo Estate, St Andrews, Monimail and East Lomond.

Tour organiser Graham Bennison said: “Despite health problems, Sandy continues to run and continues to race, and his efforts are nothing short of phenomenal.”