This archive report was first published on 1 July 2019.
At 89 years old, John Ruengo is a force to be reckoned with on the running track. The octogenarian marathoner has been running for over 70 years, a feat that has left many in awe.
According to Ruengo, he started running in 1948 as a primary student and even represented Kenya in the full marathon in the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games at the Perry Lakes Stadium in Perth, Australia.
Despite his advanced age, Ruengo still trains four days a week, running five kilometres in the morning and an equal distance in the evening. His secret to staying fit? Camel soup, which he claims oils his knees.
However, Ruengo has announced that he plans to hang up his running shoes after a career spanning more than 70 years. He cited his body's increasing weakness as the reason for his decision, stating, "Now, I feel as if my body is giving up and I want to retire. If my condition improves, I might run in the next edition but for now, I want to stop running competitively."
His impressive career has earned him recognition, including being the oldest marathoner in the world after Fauja Singh retired in 2013 aged 101 years. Singh even sent Ruengo a letter urging him to continue running.
On his last outing, Ruengo was among the over 1,400 runners who participated in a half-marathon to raise funds for wildlife conservation, education, and healthcare in Meru and northern Kenya counties. He took first place in the category of runners above 52 years and received accolades from Safaricom Chairman Nicholas Ng'ang'a.
As he prepares to exit the running scene, Ruengo has expressed his desire to focus on dairy farming. He has already bought two heifers and is appealing to Safaricom to provide him with a gas cooker and a mature milking cow to help him settle down.
