Lincolnshire great-grandad celebrates 70th birthday by running half-marathon for charity
A great granddad from Welton has celebrated turning 70 by running a half marathon.
Gerald Freezer completed the Lloyds TSB Cardiff Half Marathon earlier this month in just over three hours.
The retired RAF flight sergeant, who served in the Falklands and at RAF Scampton, said it was his first and last half-marathon.
"In May 2010 I, my son, Jason, his partner and her dad did the Hairy Haggis relay race in Edinburgh," said Mr Freezer, of Hackthorn Road. "Afterwards, my son Jason said that for my 70th birthday we should do something to celebrate.
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"I jokingly suggested a half marathon as long as it's flat, not thinking he would take me seriously.
"Anyway, he went ahead with it and booked us to do it."
Mr Freezer, who ran the Cardiff race with Jason, 39, his daughter-in-law Kelly, her dad Phil and his other son Kirk, 47, added: "This was my first and last half-marathon.
"I did the Lincoln 10K in March, but I turned 70 in August and I don't think I'm going to be doing another any time soon.
"I do a fair bit of stuff for my age – I go to the gym three times a week – but I had a bad injury on my Achilles so I haven't done much running at all recently.
"I have made a few painful visits to the physio, but more painful on the wallet.
"I really struggled with the last three and a bit miles.
"What it's proved to me is that you cannot go in for a half marathon unless you're 100 per cent fit.
"I'm hoping to do the Lincoln 10K next year if I'm fit enough, although I never ever enjoyed running distances. As a youngster I played football and was a sprinter."
Between them, the family has raised about £1,200 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society UK and are hoping to reach the £2,000 mark.
Mr Freezer's wife Rita, 73, who is originally from Swansea, said it was a wonderful day.
"It was great to be there watching each of them cross the finish line," she said.
"I have not been to Cardiff for 40-odd years and it was lovely to be back."
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