it is nearly half a century since he won an olympic gold medal but hurdler david hemery, 70, is still fit – and determined – enough to take on the london marathon the former athlete insists he will finish the 26 mile race across the capital next month, even ‘if i have to crawl’ david hemery, 70, will run the london marathon, 47 years after winning an olympic gold medal  he aims to cross the line in five and a half hours, alternating between one minute walks and 30 second runs after a record breaking win in the 400 metre hurdles in mexico city in 1968 the olympian from wiltshire won silver and bronze in the 1972 munich games, and commonwealth gold in 1966 and 1970 dr hemery, who was made a cbe in 1969 and is vice chairman of the british olympic association, plans to run with his 30 year old son pete and friend ray ridley, 55 he said: ‘the training has gone quite well but i’ve suffered with some stiffness in my calves i’m walking long distances part of it is just getting used to being on your feet for a long time but even if i have to start on crutches – if i have to crawl – i will finish ‘some think i’m crazy and others think it’s really inspiring that a sprinter would take on a marathon’ dr hemery is running for 21st century legacy, a charity that trains young people in life skills to sponsor him visit wwwvirginmoneygivingcom/davidhemery  the former athlete insists he will finish the 26 mile race across the capital next month, even ‘if i have to crawl’
david heremy the london marathon olympic 26 mile
former athlete david heremy, 70, plans to take on the london marathon . the hurdler won an olympic gold medal nearly half a century ago . he insists he will finish the 26 mile race, even ‘if i have to crawl’