Ted Toft
Great award for our older local athletes
The Oldest Athlete Celebration Event on September 30th 2010 at Loughborough University was staged by Leicester-Shire and Rutland Sport, and was the first of its kind held in the UK. Clubs across the county had been asked to nominate members who are rolling back the years and still playing casual and competitive sport into old age. Several of your County clubs and the County Association nominated various athletes for these awards. It is with great pleasure that we can announce that some of our nominees received these awards.
At 85, Ted Toft from Cosby, who is well known to local road-running and athletics clubs won The Life Time Achievement Award. He is still a coach with Leicester Triathlon Club and Leicester Coritanian Athletics Club and a prominent figure in the Leics Road Running Leagues and Midlands XC Leagues.
He said: "I simply say never think you are too old."
Sprinter Alan Mellett, 77, heads the British rankings for 100m and 200m, in the 75 to 79 age group, and won The Athlete Award for taking part in competitive sport.
He said: "I'm delighted to get an award like this. I hope it shows that getting older is no barrier to staying competitive. My motto is 'just keep going'." Alan competes regularly in the Masters League.
The Judges' Special Panel Award. went to long-distance runner Geoff Oliver, also 77, who was fresh from completing an 103 mile ultra run in 24 hours at the weekend.
Mr Oliver from Billesdon, said: " I do hope people will look at us and think about getting involved in sport even if they are getting on a bit."
CONGRATULATIONS!!
[Quotes and photo courtesy of Leicester Mercury]
