Septuagenarian Roy completes 78 marathons

By IANS

Portland (US) : India's 75-year-old long distance runner Ashis Roy added another feather to his cap when he completed his 78th marathon and stood first in his age group in the Foot Traffic Flat Marathon in Sauvie Island here, said a press release.


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Roy, who hopes to complete a tally of 80 marathons in the next three months during his stay in Washington, finished the race Wednesday despite extreme heat and developing cramps in his left calf muscle.

The race was held on Sauvie Island in the Columbia river some 45 km from Portland city to mark the American Independence Day.

Roy, who is dubbed the 'marathon man' of India, has already completed five marathons in the last three months.

He was the oldest of the 127 participants who took part in the marathon and also held the distinction among the 1,600 runners for the half-marathon.

The crowd cheered the septuagenarian, who was described by fellow runners as "amazing" because he was running so well. Roy was the first Indian to run this marathon.

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