Popular Plymouth vet Edmund Shillabear, who is 83, will be competing in the London Marathon in April to raise funds for the SSAFA charity.
Edmund is the oldest runner for the SSAFA charity that provides lifelong support to serving men and women and veterans from the British Armed Forces and their families or dependents. He is also one of the most experienced extreme athletes.
Edmund, who has veterinary surgeries in Peverell and Elburton is no stranger to the gruelling 42.2 kilometre challenge across London.
He said:
“I ran my first marathon more than 50 years ago in 1971. I have finished more Plymouth Marathons than anyone else and I ran the very first London Marathon and the 25th one. I have run a few other London ones but I can’t remember which years!”
Edmund has a few secrets that contribute towards his phenomenal success. For one, he trains with five times British Racewalking Olympian, Chris Maddox and has a specific training style.
He explained:
“Over 90 per cent of my training sessions are done at maximum intensity, a policy forced on me by lack of training time and nurtured by my best friend and oftentimes training partner Chris ‘Mad Max’ Maddocks. My Christian Faith has also helped me through numerous challenges.
“My competitors never believe me when I told them my low training mileage!”
Ed has also completed Ironman challenges and quadrathons – swimming, cycling, walking and running.
Edmund explained that his impressive athleticism was due to regular consumption of a full range of organic supplements and a lack of any modern sports science methodology or coaching.
Although, being a veterinary surgeon, Edmund knows his way around bodies and their capabilities. He’s put his skills to good use and is a shining example of what may be possible in later life.
He said:
“When I entered the Fosters’ Quadrathon – which consisted of a 2.4 mile sea swim, 51km walk, 112 mile hilly cycling stage, finished off with a full marathon – 100 qualified to enter, 81 started, 64 finished, and as the oldest competitor I was third!”
“The winner had trained in the Himalayas and second place went to an ex SAS man who full time trained, and I came third. I took the week leading up to the event off, otherwise I was working full time.”
To make a donation to Edmund’s chosen charity, follow this link: https://2023tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/edmund-shillabeer
