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92-year-old Minnesota man keeps up passion for running

CHAMPLIN, Minn. (AP) — A 92-year-old Minnesota man still runs three to four miles about four times a week.

John Keston has 53 marathons under his belt, KARE-TV reported.

Born in England in 1924, he served in World War II and didn’t discover running until later in life.

Keston was once an actor who appeared on stage in London and on Broadway. He also appeared in numerous print and TV advertisements for everything from bank services to candy bars.

He taught classical singing at Bemidji State University in 1975, where he ran — and won — his first race at the age of 55. It was a 10K sponsored by the university.

“I was hooked,” he said. “I kept on training and I got faster and faster.”

From his late 60s to his 80s, he broke many U.S. and world records for runners in his age group.

“I used to run about 2,500 miles a year when I was in tiptop shape,” Keston said. “I’m lucky if I get about 700 or 800 miles in now. But I still do it.”

He was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame’s Masters section in 2001.

Keston now also spends hours in the pool, using the resistance the water provides to tone his muscles.

Keston said he keeps running because he doesn’t “want to expire too early in life.”

“My MD is expecting me to get to be 100 so that’s only seven-and-a-half years to go,” Keston said.

His wife, Anne Keston, said she can’t imagine he’ll ever stop.

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