On Sunday the streets of London will be teeming with thousands of marathon runners
32,000 competitors are expected to start the race. With all eyes on Paula Radcliffe to overcome her Olympic disappointment, less attention will be paid to the runners who are over 70 years old.
This year 16 women will be running in the 70 to 79 year old category among them 78 year old Irene Clarke.
This will be the widowed accountant's 21st marathon since she took up running in her late 50's.
Philippa Budgen, a hobby-jogger herself, joined Irene and her two running mates, 75 year old Ivy Parkins and 56 year old Sandy Whitehead for a training run near Irene's home in Epsom.
