There’s nothing unusual about a retired bank manager running the Swindon Half Marathon... unless he’s 80, has had a hip replacement and only took up running five years ago. Basil Miles tells DENISE BARKLEY his story...

RETIRED bank manager Basil Miles has set himself a big challenge this year – he’s running the Liverpool marathon at the end of May.

“Well, I’m attempting to do it!” joked the veteran runner. “I’ve been building up to it for five years and I’m ready.”

The extraordinary thing is that Basil, from Great Somerford, is 80 years old and only seriously took up running five years ago. He’s as good as new after a hip replacement in 2007 and revels in the health benefits of his running regime.

Encouragement and support comes from friends at his running club, Swindon-based Slinn Allstars, as well as his wife Penny, 76.

“I love going along to watch him compete in races – running keeps him out of mischief!” she laughed. “I cook pasta for his dinner the night before a big race and he always eats healthily.”

Later on this year, on September 3, Basil will be lining up for the revamped Swindon Half Marathon. The last race was run two years ago and it is being relaunched in a new format which organisers say is more fitting for the town’s vibrant running community and aimed at encouraging runners from further afield too.

Starting and finishing in the town centre, the new course is largely flat and takes in the various town landmarks including the Magic Roundabout, County Ground, the Oasis, McArthurGlen outlet village and Old Town, with a downhill sprint to the finish under the big screen at Wharf Green. The new route, and a split start finish, also means there is no need to close off the area for local residents during the race as some roads will still be open.

Basil is currently focused on his training regime for the Liverpool marathon. On Easter Sunday he competed in his longest race so far - 20 miles - in the Chocathon at Northampton, and he joins the Slinn Allstars on training runs three times-a-week at Haydon Wick and Broome Manor Golf Club.

“There are quite a few of us training for marathons and it’s great to have support and encouragement – I am quietly confident,” he grinned.

Basil has always been sporty and fit – when he lived at Sunbury-on-Thames he was President of Surrey Rugby Football League. He was a bachelor until his mid-50s when he retired from his banking career with NatWest and married Penny.

Basil explained: “Penny moved to where I lived in Sunbury-on-Thames after we got married. We agreed that when she retired from teaching we would move somewhere we didn’t know anyone, which was how we ended up at Great Somerford 17 years ago. We took the plunge and threw ourselves into village life - we love it here. It was also great to be away from the flight path to Heathrow!”

Basil has been a member of PD Fitness gym in Malmesbury for many years, but the only running he had done prior to his hip surgery was a couple of 5km fun runs.

“My hip operation was straightforward, and I wasn’t in any pain the next day,” he revealed. “I’d been going to the gym and I’d done all the exercises I was told to do beforehand, so I think that helped with my recovery.”

As part of his fitness regime he started doing the 5km Parkruns held every Saturday in Lydiard Park, Swindon.

“This is a great event – you just turn up and run five kilometres without any pressure, it’s just you against the clock,” said Basil.

“There’s often more than 400 people turn up to do the run, and that’s where I met runners from Slinn Allstars who gave me lots of encouragement.

“I progressed from five kilometres up to 10, and then to running a half-marathon. I’m just lucky that I have the energy to do it, and I do enjoy it – though it’s great to cross the finishing line!

“I really enjoy the company of my fellow runners, it keeps me young.”

Basil and Penny enjoy the social side of the running group too, including overseas ‘tours’ to compete in half marathons in places such as Madrid and Majorca.

“I’m not a runner, but I do enjoy watching him compete in races abroad, and I get a holiday as well!” Penny said. “I love athletics, we went to watch the Commonwealth Games in Manchester and Glasgow.”

Another regular on the couple’s travel calendar is Basil’s annual warm weather training in Turks and Caicos islands.

Basil said: “I’m out running at 6am each day, by 9am it’s in the mid-20s and it’s too hot!”

He estimates he has now clocked up around 100 runs and doesn’t intend to stop any time soon. He’s hoping for warm, dry weather for the Liverpool marathon on May 27.

“I don’t like rain, I wear glasses and it makes it difficult,” Basil added. “I most certainly won’t be dressing up in fancy dress, I never do. When I did the Reading half marathon I was shocked to be overtaken by a camel!”

He was sponsored to run the Northampton Chocathon last weekend, raising £1,300 towards the fund for a new roof at his local parish church of St Peter and St Paul. In the past he’s raised £1,000 for Wiltshire Air Ambulance and £500 towards a defibrillator appeal.

Basil hopes to complete the Swindon half marathon in two-and-a-half hours and he urged runners to sign up too.

“For the town of Swindon it is important that the event gets the recognition like other places,” he said. “It is about bringing the name of the town forward as well as encouraging people to keep fit.”

To sign up visit www.newswindonhalf.co.uk