Grandfather in the running for 23rd London Marathon success

Bernard Jones, 72, first put on his running shoes in 1987 for the Humber Bridge Marathon and since then has travelled the world to take part in events.

But he said not one of them beat the London Marathon, and said he was looking forward to April 21 when he will take part in his 23rd run through the capital.

“When you finish the marathon it’s like the best party in the world,” said Mr Jones, who has nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

“I would have entered every year if I could, and now, with me being old, I get entered automatically if I apply.”

He said he first started running in his early 40s when his sister said he was putting on weight.

This year, Mr Jones is raising cash for two South Yorkshire charities, The Firefly Club, which provides transport to hospital for cancer patients and Sheffield-based Osteoporosis 2000.

He and his wife Christina live in Norton, north of Doncaster, and the former miner still works part-time as a lifeguard and swimming teacher at a leisure centre in nearby Askern.