He describes himself as “66 years young” and has run in excess of 130,000 miles.

But unlike many other running fanatics, George Henry, who is competing this weekend, only started the sport when he was 30.

“I started running when my first son was born in 1979. I weighed 215 pounds and my blood pressure was elevated,” said Henry, who resides in Massachusetts.

“My boss was a runner and encouraged me to start walking and running,” he said.

Henry started out running by doing one lap circuits of his neighbourhood in Philadelphia. “That was about 9/10ths of a mile. I did this for one month, and then next month I went up to two laps never missing a day.

“By month four I was up to four laps, then I ran with my boss one day, and he said let’s do five miles. Well, I thought there was no way I could do it, but with some encouragement I did.

“Later that same year I ran a 10K, then the Philadelphia Half-Marathon. My weight had dropped to 160 pounds and I was running seven plus miles a day.”

Soon he started running over 70 miles a week and his weight went down to 149 pounds.

“I figure I did over 40,000 miles running while living in North Wales, Pennsylvania, averaging 70-plus miles per week while working a full time job for 11 years. Then 13,000 miles in Madison, Connecticut, averaging 50-plus miles a week for five years, and then 46,800 miles in Acton, Massachusetts, for 18 years and so far over 14,000 miles in Chatham, Massachusetts,” he said.

Then there are the actual marathons, half-marathons, 10K and 5K races.

“I have run 15 marathons, probably 50-plus half-marathons, and I run a 5K almost every week of the entire year. I think my favourite distance is the half-marathon, but I like them all.”

He also enjoys hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and walking.

When asked what he enjoys about running, he said: “There are a lot of things. The feeling of moving forward, a time to clear my thoughts and think about things and enjoy my surroundings.

“I have been a member of several running teams and there is a sense of community and friendship. I feel better when I run too.

“Currently I am a member of the Cape Cod Athletic Club in Massachusetts. I train with club members and also by myself and with my wife.”

Living on the East Coast can mean training is hindered during the winter.

“In Pennsylvania the weather tends to be milder, so I ran every day no matter what the weather was.

“In Acton the winters can be brutal, so I also joined a health club to exercise inside. I belonged to the Concord Runners, in Massachusetts, so I could always find a running partner when the snow was bad.”

He has run in Bermuda before. he said: “I ran the Bermuda 10K six years ago with my wife to celebrate her 100th road race and I have been to Bermuda with my past company on business.

“I also ran the Dublin Ireland Marathon, the Iceland Half-Marathon, and in the Caribbean.”

On top of all that Henry ran the Cape Breton Island Nova Scotia 24-hour relay race twice.

“My leg was at 3am both times,” he said.

Henry will compete in the 10K on Saturday accompanied by his wife Kathie and daughters Ali and Annie.