104-Year-Old Woman Takes A Cue From Captain Sir Tom Moore, Walks Marathon

Ruth Saunders, a 104-year-old great grandmother from Newbury, Reading, is walking the length of a marathon (26.2 miles) for charity, putting younger generations to shame.

Since starting her walk challenge on Sept. 8, Ruth has raised $10442. Ruth will complete her 26.2 mile-mark on Nov. 2.

The granny admits that her inspiration is Captain Sir Tom Moore who raised $41.8 million for the NHS during lockdown. The money Ruth raises is going to Thames Valley Air Ambulance (TVAA). “If he could do it, I could do it,” she told BBC. Ruth is definitely competitive in her spirits.

Ruth originally set out to walk for easing her arthritis during the COVID-19 lockdown. The elderly woman was also feeling locked up and complained of boredom during the lockdown. It was then that she started out with 104 laps of her block -- about 12 miles -- to match her age.

Her granddaughter encouraged Ruth to extend her walk to 130 laps. Once she started enjoying her walks, she decided to raise money for her favourite charity.

The centenarian lives alone in her home in Newbury. She married an RAF veteran in 1940, just before marrying her late husband Dunkirk, and together they had three children.

Ruth hopes to complete the challenge before the cold weather. As the winter sets in, she will be forced to wrap up in a woolly cap to complete her laps.

"Ruth is an inspiration to us all... we are so lucky to have such a passionate and awe-inspiring supporter," said chief executive of TVAA, Amanda McLean.

“If someone says ‘you can’t do that,’ she will say ‘why can’t I? Of course, I can,” Kate Saunders proudly talks about her grandmother. This determination and attitude keep her going at 104.

Sir Tom became a sensation for walking 100 laps of his patio in the days leading up to his 100th birthday, an achievement that also earned him a knighthood.