AGE is most certainly just a number for Basil Miles who is currently the oldest competitor signed up for this year’s Swindon Half Marathon at the age of 80.

The plucky runner is no stranger to putting on his sporting shoes after completing more than 12 races in just a few years despite having his hip replaced less than a decade ago.

Basil, who has become a regular at running events in the town, including Swindon parkrun at Lydiard Park, said he is looking forward to tackling the newly-revamped course and hopes others follow suit and sign up.

“Swindon is one of a few towns that didn’t have a half marathon last year and so this event needs support from people to keep going,” he added.

“The new course is going to be a lot flatter than previous years which will encourage people to enter and set their personal best.

“For the town of Swindon it is important that this event gets the recognition like other places. It is about bringing the name of the town forward as well as encouraging people to keep fit.”

Basil turned 80 in December but said keeping fit is something that helps him feel young. In between training for the Swindon Half, he is also set to complete the Liverpool Marathon at the end of May.

He hopes to complete the Swindon race, on September 3, in two-and-a-half hours and is now in full training mode, completing 5km and 10km races every month – on top of his weekly gym routine.

“It is important that young people keep fit. I only got into running as a way of making sure I stay healthy and I consider myself very lucky that I am still able to take part in such things,” Basil, who lives in Great Somerford, said.

More than 500 people have signed up for the newly-relaunched event since early bird entries opened last week and organisers hope that number will double, if not triple, before the big day.

The race will see a change from the traditional route and will take runners past many of Swindon’s best-known landmarks including the County Ground, the BMW plant and of course, the Magic Roundabout.

Last October, the event had to be cancelled due to a lack of funds but, saddened to see such a town event fall by the wayside, organisers decided to re-launch the half marathon in hope of catering for all runners with different abilities.

Once runners have signed up by visiting the New Swindon Half Marathon website, training plans for all abilities will become available.

Early bird prices end on March 1.

To sign up, visit www.newswindonhalf.co.uk.