102-year-old becomes the oldest person ever to finish a half marathon at the Great North Run
A 102-year-old World War II veteran has become the oldest person ever to complete a half marathon, after finishing Sunday's Great North Run.
William Cooksey – also known as Bill – walked the 13.1-mile course, from Newcastle to South Shields, aided by his friend Gavin Iceton. He crossed the finish line in 5hrs 41mins.
The former English teacher, who served in the RAF between 1941 to 1951, faced torrential downpours and thunderstorms, but battled on to the finish line, raising an incredible £15,000 for the County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust.
Cooksey had wanted to take on the challenge to celebrate the 75th year of the NHS and hopes the money he raises will help support the welfare of those working in, and supported, by the NHS.
A true inspiration. 💙
At 102 years old, Bill Cooksey has crossed the AJ Bell #GreatNorthRun! 👏
Huge congratulations, Bill! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Ssu1cShr6e— Great Run (@Great_Run) September 10, 2023
Afterwards, he told the Daily Mail: 'I am glad I have done it. I wish we didn’t have to go through all that rain – but we did it.'
Cooksey trained for the event by walking seven miles a week and also did a practise run prior to the race as preparation, covering 12 miles in five-and-a-half hours.
He told ITV ahead of the event that he had 'always wanted to it'. He said: 'I’ve been up here 30 years and always walked, and when I heard about the Great North Run I thought, "I’ll be able to do that surely" because there’s the additional impetus of helping the NHS.
'Actually I don’t think I would have done it if it wasn’t of benefit to the NHS.'
It's not the first time the 102-year-old has taken on endurance challenge in the name of fundraising for the NHS. For his 100th birthday in 2021, he walked 10 miles a day for 10 days, raising £2,6000 for the NHS Trust.
Then, last year, he cycled 1,000 miles over 10 weeks , raising £1,610 for the same NHS Trust, raising money to help patients with life-limiting conditions.
When his companion Gavin Iceton, who supported Cooksey on the day, spoke to ITV ahead of the race, he said he knew he'd become a record-breaker on Sunday because he's so determined.
He said: 'He'll do great, he's way past being determined. I think if you're doing it at 84 or 85, 95 even, you're determined. He's doing it at 102, he's stubborn and he will do it.
'We'll be nice and steady, he's done lots of practising, and will have lots of water, keep nice and cool and we're just going to go nice and steady. He'll be a record breaker no matter how long it takes him.'
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