Darlington grandad Ian Barnes sets new athletics record

Ian Barnes, of Darlington, has achieved a new UK 800 metres record of 4 minutes 34.4 seconds in the 90 to 94-year-olds category.

The record-breaking race, governed by the North East Masters Athletics Association, was staged at Jarrow’s Monkton Stadium last week.

Ian Barnes after breaking the record at Monkton Stadium (Image: Peter Barron) In recognition of his achievement, Ian was given an ovation by hundreds of fellow runners at Saturday’s Darlington parkrun where he is a regular participant and volunteer.

The previous 800m record, set in 1999, was 4 minutes 39 seconds, and Ian admitted: “My time was rather better than I’d hoped. I was nowhere near it in training, but the adrenaline must have kicked in, so I was really chuffed.”

Ian revealed he’d been training alone over the past few weeks at Eastbourne sports complex, in Darlington, to prepare for the record attempt.

The retired legal executive, who founded the Darlington parkrun in 2012, was already a record-breaker in three events in the over-85s category: 1,500m (7:38.41); mile (8:10.40); and 3,000 metres (16.34.42).

However, he was waiting until he could qualify for the 90-plus category before attempting any new records.

In the record-breaking race at Monkton Stadium, Ian was up against nine other veteran athletes, most of them in their 60s and 70s, with one competitor who was 80.

Ian has also recently set a new mile record for 90 to 94-year-olds but kept it quiet because he was “a bit disappointed” with the time of 11 minutes.

His daughter, Justine, who is visiting from Australia with her daughter Rachael, was at Jarrow to see Ian set the 800 metres record.

“We’re all super proud of him – he’s amazing,” said Justine.

Ian celebrated by running the 5k Darlington parkrun with Justine on Saturday, when an announcement was made about his record-breaking exploits.

Ian Barnes and daughter Justine complete the Darlington parkrun on Saturday (Image: Peter Barron) He discovered a love of running as a young man during national service in The Army. It has been a passion throughout his life, and he has served as president and chair of Darlington Harriers.

Last month, he was honoured at the Darlington Sports Winners Grand Final, at Darlington Hippodrome, for making an outstanding contribution to sport.

Ian’s wife, Margaret, recently passed away and he says that running has helped him cope with the loss.

“It helps you focus on something positive, rather than staying in the house brooding,” he said.

Asked for the secret to longevity, he said: “Don’t stop moving – keep going as long as you can.”

His next ambition is to set a new 1,500 metres record and to improve on his mile record.