Pic credit: Gibson Digital/North Lanarkshire Council
Ian Winship, a 90-year-old runner from North Lanarkshire, has completed a 10-kilometre race in about 1 hour, 4 minutes and 37 seconds, setting what is believed to be a world-best time for his age group. On 13 September, the former paratrooper completed the Cumbernauld 10K run. Most days, he hits 20,000 steps. It’s the perspective of someone who spent his younger years as a paratrooper, jumping into Egypt near Port Said during the Suez Crisis in 1956, and later became a steeplejack. His next challenge is to ‘live to 100’. But the 90-year-old turned it down immediately. The nonagenarian ran this race alongside his daughter, Fiona Fleming, and grandson Kyle Fleming, 26, who came third. He does 20,000 steps a day. “Athletics can be for life if that’s what you want and performances like this one by Ian at 90 really are inspirational. To complete a 10K at 90 years of age is a remarkable accomplishment, let alone complete it in such an impressive time.
Because of me, cumbernauld might be famous now. Scottish Athletics confirmed the achievement is considered a ‘world best’ rather than a ‘world record’, as non-professional road races lack the precision required for official ratification. Pic credit: Gibson Digital/North Lanarkshire Council Ian Winship, who hails from Cumberland, revealed the secret behind the record. He lost his wife years ago, and I think it just keeps him going.
“I stood greetin’,” the former paratrooper told the BBC, his disbelief still evident. It’s incredible,” he told the broadcaster. “I run because it keeps me sane, keeps me fit and it keeps me out of trouble,” Winship always told his family. Meanwhile, Scottish Athletics said Winship’s achievement is considered a ‘world best’ in the M90 category. A spokesperson for the body said they were “delighted to hear of Ian’s great run”.
It’s easy to understand why. Winship wasn’t chasing records when he started that morning. He was doing what he does most days: running. The world-best time in the M90 category came out of the blue. “It’s just unbelievable. But there are simply no reports of anyone older achieving a faster time. He gets up each morning, fetches his paper, gets his coffee, and walks. Not around the block, but for miles. Long stretches through Cumbernauld are a regimen he religiously follows to keep himself fit. Winship understands what most people don’t. “I’ve got a purpose, I want to stay alive. If I sit in the house I’ll vegetate. I must meet people. So he walks and continues to share ties with the community. Motion was always the job. Now it’s the medicine. For him, what really works is consistency. He does not have a fancy training plan or gym membership. But every morning he wakes up and gets moving. When Winship completed the race, he was a little ‘wobbly’, so the paramedics offered him a wheelchair. Pic credit: Gibson Digital/North Lanarkshire Council Winship had the best company in the race. It wasn’t their first time making the race a family affair at Cumbernauld. But the grandfather’s performance still caught them off guard. Kyle is proud of his grandpa. “He gets up every morning, goes to get his paper, goes to get his coffee. For Kyle, watching his grandpa was inspiration enough. “That’s always stuck with me. Every time I see him running, that’s what I think about. Kenneth Duffy, provost of North Lanarkshire, called him ‘a hero’. “My huge congratulations to Ian on his outstanding achievement at this year’s Cumbernauld 10K event. What a hero he is! I’m sure everyone will be inspired by his determination, commitment and enthusiasm. Geraldine Woods, convener of communities at the council, also lauded Winship’s achievement. “Ian’s performance at this year’s event, along with his dedication and positive attitude, is an inspiration to people of all ages. You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.
