Six time winner of May 24 Derby swears ‘I’ve still got life in me’By Scott NeilOne of Bermuda’s greatest living road runners, who chalked up his sixth and final May 24 Derby victory more than half a century ago, is to run the Somerset to Hamilton race again tomorrow at the age of 81.Ed Sherlock will be the oldest competitor in the field and the most illustrious past champion spectators will see this year.The 1956 winner, who also chalked up a record-setting five consecutive victories from 1958 to 1962, last ran in the Derby during the 100th anniversary event in 2009.A few months ago he decided to challenge himself to run the 13.1-mile race again and has been putting in regular training workouts on the beach at Horseshoe Bay near his Southampton home.“I’m feeling pretty good,” he said this week. “I started training early this year. Most of my training has been on the beach. I did my last workout on Tuesday.”Three days a week he has been running for an hour on the beach.He has also run up to 11 miles on the road to prepare himself for the rigours of tomorrow’s race, which is now known as the Appleby Bermuda Half-Marathon Derby.“I’m 81, I’ll be 82 later this year. My steps are not as fast as they once were, but I’ve still got a lot of life in me,” said Mr Sherlock, who will wear bib number 575.He was the first runner to claim five consecutive May 24 victories, a record since been equalled, but not yet beaten, on the men’s side by Kavin Smith and current champion Chris Estwanik.Mr Estwanik was seeking his sixth title in a row this year, but an injury has ruled him out of the race.Mr Sherlock recognises that his memorable feat from more than 50 years ago may be eclipsed in the future. He said: “Records are made to be broken.”The former champion is being supported in the race by the Southampton Rangers Sports Club, which has a team of 10 running. Six of the team will be wearing the club’s blue and white colours with the words ‘Honouring Ed Sherlock’ emblazoned on the back of their running tops. Mr Sherlock will also wear one of the vests.Southampton Rangers Sports Club president, Gerri Saltus said: “As long as I can remember Mr Sherlock has been a staple of the Rangers family. So to acknowledge his running accomplishments and his contributions as an elder statesman of Southampton, we decided to do this for him. Camp Hill plans to come alive every time a blue jersey comes running through.”Mr Sherlock is looking forward to competing again in the race. “It means something to me.“May 24 is my race and I still feel fit. I’m excited and I’ve started to feel the pre-race butterflies again.”The Appleby Bermuda Half-Marathon Derby starts at 9am tomorrow in Somerset and finishes at Bernard Park, Pembroke.