- Ian Barnes, turning 90 in December, holds three British records in the over-85s category for running.
- The grandfather of two completed one mile in just eight minutes and 10 seconds.
- His secrets include training five days a week, eating a healthy diet, and having a positive outlook.
When he was 21, Ian Barnes shared the world's astonishment when the legendary British athlete Roger Bannister broke the four-minute mile in 1954.
"I suppose he's my hero," Barnes told Business Insider.
Bannister's accomplishment inspired him to take up competitive running — a sport at which he still excels at 89.
The retired legal executive holds three British records in the over-85s category: a mile (8:10.40), 1,500 meters (7:38.41), and 3,000 meters (16:34.42).
Since the records are set in five-year age groups, he plans to achieve more after he turns 90 in December.
"These days, I compete against the clock," Barnes said, noting that few people in his age bracket run at a similar level.
He said race organizers frequently use time percentage computers to "age grade" his performance. The statistics show that he regularly beats athletes younger than half his age.
Age adjustment software recently showed that he was among the top 10 fastest runners in a race of 500 participants despite being the oldest competitor by far.
"At my age, you can't expect to win races, so the objective is to win records," Barnes added.
His wife is supportive
As a result, his home in the northeast of England is packed with medals and certificates. Many are stored in boxes in the attic after his wife, Margaret, 89, got tired of the clutter.
"She has been very supportive over the years," Barnes said. "She's spent much time standing in fields waiting for me to run past.
The grandfather of two told BI that he had a "flair" for running in grade school but entered the sport seriously after finishing his national service in the British army.
He'd been stationed in London, where he sat in the stands and watched Bannister and his rivals compete on the track. "It was an exciting time because history was being made," Barnes said.
The experience spurred him into joining local running clubs. He would train after work and run long-distance races at weekends.
"I had some success, but I knew I could only reach a certain level," he said, noting that his job and raising a family took up most of his time.
Then, in middle age, he started to compete in veteran categories — also known as Masters — and won a series of titles in the UK and Europe.
But his biggest achievement, he said, came in 2020 when he broke the British record for over 85s by running one mile in eight minutes and 10 seconds.
The following year, he earned the 1,500-meter and 3,000-meter records for his age group.
"It's been very rewarding," Barnes, who retired from law at 76, said. "It's a nice way to wind down one's career."
But the octogenarian has no plans to stop altogether. He has set his sights on becoming the fastest person in Britain over the age of 90. "Everything has to be certified and official, but it's worth the red tape," he told BI.
Barnes has escaped major injuries as an athlete
He said his aspirations have helped fuel his longevity. "I enjoy challenging myself and having a positive outlook on life," he said, adding that running keeps his mind and body fit.
His weight has remained steady, but, he said, his age has caused him to shrink in stature. "Other than that, I'm doing pretty well," Barnes, who has largely avoided major injuries, said.
He said he eats a healthy diet of mostly non-processed food and drinks liquid with electrolytes to avoid dehydration. He trains four or five times a week — covering a cumulative distance of up to 50 miles — and is the director of the 5K Saturday morning race he established in his hometown in 2012.
Still, he is characteristically humble about his endeavors.
"When I'm running in all weathers, I sometimes wonder if people look at me and think, 'What a silly old fool,'" Barnes joked.
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