Cambridge Half Marathon debut for 73-year-old novice

Semi-retired businessman and audio electronic engineer John Dawson said a half marathon was the "logical" next step

A 73-year-old man who only took up running three years ago is to embark on his debut half marathon.

John Dawson, from Landbeach, Cambridgeshire, will race 13.1 miles (22km) in the Cambridge Half Marathon on Sunday.

He last ran at school and decided to start again to lose weight, improve his mental health and "test" his limits.

The semi-retired businessman is raising funds for charity Cam Sight after his father suffered visual impairment.

Mr Dawson took part in the Town & Gown 10k race in Cambridge in October 2023

He will be joined by about 12,000 other runners taking part in the event, which starts at 09:30 GMT from Midsummer Common on 3 March.

"This is the latest step in my running adventure, both to test my limits and to support a worthwhile charity," he said.

Mr Dawson said he first took up running again after the Covid-19 lockdowns, "in order to improve both my fitness and my mental health".

'Inspirational'

He has now completed more than 110 Parkruns and 10 formal 10km races, "so a half marathon was logically the next challenge", he added.

"I started daily 30 minute solo walks during lockdown, mainly to help my weight, I was gradually able to extend this to jogging, then running as the weight came off and my fitness improved.

"My first proper run with other people was the Wimpole Estate Parkrun in July 2021."

The Cambridge Half Marathon takes competitors past four university colleges

Mr Dawson has joined Cambridge running group, 10K Tourists, which runs 10kms around Cambridge on Wednesday evenings, starting and finishing at various local pubs.

"My advice to anyone starting out on this journey is to go to parkruns if you can and also try to find a local group to run with once a week or so - it really helps."

Dawn Preston, CamSight head of services, said: "It is truly inspirational to hear John's challenge, taking on a half marathon at 73 is extremely impressive.

"We are all behind him and can't thank John enough, and all our runners for dedicating their time to raise vital funds for our charity."