Bill O'Connor, president of the Queens Park Harriers, has participated in every London Marathon since its inception in 1981. At 79, he continues to showcase remarkable dedication, highlighting the changes in the landscape and his running experience over four decades. The club celebrated his achievement with a Strava running route that forms a portrait of him. Club members admire O'Connor as a key figure in their community, with aspirations of running his 50th marathon, emphasizing the enduring camaraderie and spirit of the event.
"It's amazing to think the course is basically still the same we started out with in 1981," said Mr O'Connor, who moved to London from New Zealand in the 1970s.
"Training for one marathon is hard enough; I can't imagine what it's like to do that every year for 45 years," she said.
"It's through people like Bill that clubs like ours can continue," he said.
"The friendliness, the friendship, and you know it's going to be a great day regardless of the weather," he added.
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