Marathon man, 85, eyes 200-mile challenge in USA

Ray Matthews is no stranger to extreme challenges - after all, when he turned 75 the keen runner marked the milestone by running the equivalent of 75 marathon distances in 75 days. Ten years on, his passion for running remains undimmed.

Matthews, from Rotherham, has now set his sights on taking part in next year's Bigfoot 200 ultra-marathon in the USA, whose 200-mile (322km) route will take him through Washington State's Cascade Mountains.

"I feel I can do it. I know I can do it," the 85-year-old says with determination.

"What I need to do now is to knuckle down and start big time training."

Ahead of his trip to America, though, Matthews has been reflecting on a recent trip to Thailand to take part in a television commercial where he could show off his fitness.

The opportunity came about when his wife, Maureen, spotted a social media trawl from an insurance company keen to find people who showed impressive fitness, energy and determination and who were over the age of 70.

Matthews says he originally thought it was probably a scam, but after sending in a video of himself on a treadmill, along with his running history, he was asked to take part in filming.

The six-day round trip to Bangkok paid well, says Matthews, who describes his fee as "just crazy".

Ahead of filming, Matthews says that going through wardrobe and make-up was memorable.

"As a Yorkshireman, it's something a bit strange when a six-foot-three guy in a dress walks up to me and starts faffing about with me hair," he laughs.

"Then he sat me down and he's using a powder puff. Well, I could have sat there trying not to pee myself for laughing."

Fundraising has played a significant part in Matthews' running, with two causes especially close to his heart: Age UK Rotherham and his hometown's Newman School.

The school provides for young people with special educational needs and disabilities between the ages of two years old and 19.

A love of running and activity is something Matthews says he has been keen to share when invited into schools to talk about his achievements.

"This is where it all starts from - from kids - that movement is medicine," he explains.

"You've got to keep moving," he adds.

"Sometimes it's not easy, but you've just got to tell yourself that you need to do that little bit every day - at least make some movement, because if you don't move you lose it."

Meanwhile, Matthews clearly has his mind increasingly focused on the Bigfoot 200.

The race takes place next August and he says: "The events are the icing on the cake.

"It's that lead-up. It's that work that takes place beforehand that gets you ready to be able to do these things."

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