London Marathon 'Ever Presents' to take part in 46th race as just six of original 42 still running

Around 57,000 elated runners will cross the finish line of the London Marathon on Sunday - and amongst the professional athletes, celebrities, fun-runners and first-timers, will be six very special men. Despite their advancing years, these ‘Ever Presents’ will have completed all 46 marathons since it was launched in March 1981. The club – formed in 1996 after their 15th consecutive race – originally had 42 members, all vowing to continue running for as long as their bodies allowed them to. In recognition of their astonishing loyalty and determination, the London Marathon guaranteed them a place every year. But over the decades ill-health and injury have taken their toll . Every year, the club grows smaller until, now, just a hardcore of six remain. With a combined age of 465 (half of them are in their 80s) the group, from oldest to youngest, includes: retired GP, Mac Speake, 84; teacher Bill O’Connor – who is still working aged 80; David Walker, a retired training adviser, also 80; Jeff Aston, a retired IT consultant, 78; retired headteacher, Mike Peace, 76 and, ‘the baby of the group’, Chris Finill, a retired school bursar, a sprightly 67. Over the years they have seen the race grow from a niche event that attracted just 7,000 runners to the spectacle it is today. More than a million wannabe runners applied for this year’s race and there is speculation it will become a two day event in 2027 – allowing more than 100,000 runners the chance to complete the iconic course . Sadly, there are no women in the group. Just 300 women took part in 1981 – and many will have taken time out from running to have children – ending consecutive runs. Today 49 per cent of runners are women – which shows how far the sport has advanced. Chris said: “In the early days, when marathon running wasn’t very fashionable, people thought you were bonkers and couldn’t understand why you would want to run 26 miles. But nowadays it's become such a bucket list ambition that people really understand why you want to do the 46th and 47th and keep going to the 50th.” Even getting to the start line is a feat in itself. David is nursing a suspected fractured rib so will, for the second time, complete this year’s event, virtually, with the support of his sons around his home town of Chesham, Bucks. Via the London Marathon app, he will still cover the distance of 26.2 miles, and receive an official finish time and medal. He said: “Last year I had recurring calf and hamstring strain so made the decision to run from home. I was a bit wobbly at the end and needed my walking poles so they will be to hand.” Grandfather of six, Mac, said: “I pulled a muscle at 21 miles on a training run a week ago so it’s going to be a bit of a struggle. Every year people ask me ‘do you think you’ll do another?’ “And my answer is always ‘there’s only one way to find out – you continue until you can’t!’ If I have to pull out this year, I have to pull out. But it won’t be voluntarily!” He added: “Everyone says I’m crazy – especially the older ones. I still find it hard to get out of bed in the mornings but I try to run every day. “I would never, ever have dreamed that I’d still be taking part 46 years later. It was pure luck that I was able to make every single race as I was a working GP with on-call weekend shifts. But it was obviously meant to be.” Just three miles into the 2018 race Chris was clipped from behind by another runner and fell heavily, breaking his right arm in four places. He said: “I've had hamstring pulls and the tail end of bad colds, but that was the nearest I've ever come to not finishing. "I knew it was pretty bad but St John Ambulance gave me a makeshift sling, and I was able to grip the loop of it with my hand to keep my arm relatively still. There was still a lot of slapping around as I was running, and it was excruciating. But at least the race distracted me from it!” Jeff said: “Last year was a disaster. I felt sick right from the start and walked the entire way, so anything will be better than that. But no-one wants to know how well you’ve done, it’s just ‘did you finish?’” Bill wears a permanent protective arm covering as a result of being attacked by a dog ten years ago while on a training run. He said: “The fangs tore part of an arm away and missed an artery by an eighth of an inch. I needed surgery, a skin graft and over a hundred stitches so was out of action for a few months. “We are certainly clocking up the years between us. The problem these days is that it takes so long to get the miles in. It’s going to be a survival effort again and I hope we all make it.” The EPs have all been supported, over the years, by long-suffering wives, partners, children and grandchildren – who have cheered them on from the sidelines or been inspired to pound the route themselves. Chris said: “My wife, Julia, has been to all 45 marathons - either as a supporter, a medal hanger or as a runner herself. She was there as my girlfriend for the first one and now we’re retired grandparents.” Mac’s devoted wife, Ros, 83, who has herself completed 13 marathons – including six London races - accompanies Mac on every single training run – with a supply of water, snacks and fresh clothes. He said: “She used to cycle alongside me but she had a stroke a few years ago and has lost her confidence. But she drives along the route I always follow, parks up every three hours and reads the paper or has a coffee while waiting for me. We’re out there for about seven hours.” Mike said: “I don’t call it racing anymore. It’s just about doing your best and feeling comfortable by the end. I’ve mostly felt that although Annie, my partner, would disagree. Sometimes she sees my grey face and says ‘you don’t look very well….’ Mostly we just have a jolly time and then she helps me walk to the car!” Mac said: “It’s a bit like how people who collect things become obsessed. They will pay hundreds or thousands of pounds for a playing card or something that has no value to anybody else, but it's the last thing in their collection. That's exactly how it is. You've collected 45 medals - wouldn't it be nice to have the 46th?” Chris added: “We all want each other to get round. In that sense, everyone tries to will everybody else on. It's not a case of beating someone else but conquering the marathon. It’s quite literally the human race at its very best; people willing each other on, facing up to – and hopefully conquering - personal challenges, raising shedloads of money for charity and keeping fit.” The EPs have become firm friends over the decades and regularly meet up for gatherings. As well as their medals, which vary in size, colour and shape, as sponsors and designs change, the EPs treasure other prized mementoes. Bill, originally from New Zealand, has a pair of £2.50 trainers that he ran his fastest time in, plus an Olympic torch that he had the honour of carrying two days before the London event in 2012. Mike added: “I’ve got a t-shirt from every single event. And I also have a t-shirt that says ‘Since 1981 I’ve done them all’, that I wear with pride in the run up to the marathon each year. “It’s an enormous privilege to be in an exclusive club no one can join. Those words become more relevant as the years go by. Because if you haven't been there in the early days, you can’t claim to be a member, no matter how many times you’ve taken part. We’re down to a small number now and we’re all getting a bit slower but we’re still there.” Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events, said: “The Ever Presents hold a remarkable place in London Marathon history. Completing one marathon is a monumental achievement for most people; for these six individuals to have done it 45 times is truly extraordinary. “They exemplify the commitment and unity that inspired my father, Chris Brasher, and John Disley to found the London Marathon in 1981. We salute them and wish them the very best for Sunday.”