JENNY WOOD ALLEN, The Oldest Female Marathon Runner In The World

Telegraph.co.uk | Gareth A Davies | March 22, 2001 | JENNY WOOD ALLEN, 88, from Aberdeen, the oldest female marathon runner in the world, was feted yesterday at London's Savoy Hotel, receiving the Help The Aged NOJO (Not Old Just Older) Award for outstanding sporting achievement, presented by Robin Cousins, the 1980 Olympic figure-skating champion.

Wood Allen was afforded the greatest applause at the celebrity-studded occasion, as her accomplishments were listed to an astonished audience by MC Angela Rippon.



Wood Allen took up marathon running at the age of 73, having been a Scottish cycling champion, as a time triallist, in the 1930s. After a 40-year hiatus from sport, she took up marathon running in 1983 and has completed 30 marathons since to raise money for cancer charities.

In 1983, Wood Allen set another record, becoming the fastest marathon runner ever over 70, when she completed 26 miles around Aberdeen in four hours 21 minutes. The record still stands.


Wood Allen, presently in training for this year's London Marathon on April 22, revealed yesterday that she would be retiring from marathon running - finally - next year, when she reaches 90.

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