Veteran runner celebrates 80th birthday by running his 80th Parkrun at Bramley

A veteran athlete marked a milestone birthday at Bramley Parkrun yesterday.
Peter is a veteran fell, road and cross-country runner who has been a world championPeter is a veteran fell, road and cross-country runner who has been a world champion
Peter is a veteran fell, road and cross-country runner who has been a world champion

Pudsey Pacers member Peter Covey celebrated his 80th birthday by completing his 80th Parkrun.

He was joined by friends from the Pacers and former clubs Bingley Harriers and Pudsey & Bramley Athletics Club, who ran the 5k course at Bramley Park with him.

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Peter Covey and Pudsey Pacers members celebrate his 80th birthday at Bramley ParkrunPeter Covey and Pudsey Pacers members celebrate his 80th birthday at Bramley Parkrun
Peter Covey and Pudsey Pacers members celebrate his 80th birthday at Bramley Parkrun

Peter, an athletics coach from Gargrave, near Skipton, is well-known on the local running scene and holds the course record for his age group at Bramley Parkrun.

Pudsey Pacers shared photos of the group with the tribute:-

"Happy 80th birthday Peter Covey! Peter celebrated his birthday by completing his 80th Parkrun with a flurry of Pacers, Bingley Harriers and Pudsey & Bramley AC runners out celebrating with him. Peter has achieved many great things in running - too many to list."

Peter can still run a 5k in under 26 minutes and is in the top 34 per cent of runners in his age group in the national rankings.

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Temple Newsam Parkrun community left heartbroken by death of popular runnerHis regular Parkrun is Armley and he has also run Potternewton, Goole and Woodhouse Moor this year. He is a committee member for the Yorkshire Veterans' Athletic Association.

His list of sporting achievements is staggering. In 2012, at the age of 72, he was the world champion in his age group in an indoor rowing competition held by gym equipment manufacturers Concept II. He recorded a time of 7:32 over a 2,000-metre distance.

Hundreds of runners turn out to celebrate Woodhouse Moor's 500th ParkrunHe also competes in triathlons, but his main passion is fell running - in 2005 he was the champion in the over-65s category when the World Masters Mountain Running Championships were held in Keswick.

His training regime includes hill running up the Sharphaw ascent near his home.

Photos by Simon Cullingworth.

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