A RETIRED teacher has proven that age is no barrier after completing a major running milestone at the age of 86.

Conrad Slater was met with crowds of applause on Saturday as he passed the finish line at Fell Foot park run for the 250th time.

The great grandad, from Windermere, first joined the weekly five kilometre race when the event was set up five years ago, with the aim of reaching 250 runs.

And on Saturday morning he finally achieved that feat - and described the moment as a 'great achievement'.

"I always wanted to reach 250 so to finally get there at the weekend was great," the grandad-of-two said.

"I don't think I'll get to my 500 though but I'll try!

"I was amazed by the reaction this weekend. It was a great day for me.

"Everyone seems to support each other here which is just lovely.

"It's a great achievement for me which I'm really proud of."

Mr Slater first took up running in his early-40s despite showing no interest in the sport earlier in life.

"Many years ago I started running when I was around 40," he said.

"My wife said to me that men my age are dying and I had to do some sort of exercise as I was getting older so I started running.

"I did do some marathons in my earlier life but now I'm happy with just completing the five kilometre park run every week.

"I think that park run is just wonderful and the group of people who go along are all so lovely.

"I like to say I'm the fastest in my age group but I am the only person in my age group!"

Mr Slater said he plans on taking part in the weekly park run for as long as he can.

"I'm fortunate that I'm still mobile and can continue to take part every weekend," he said.

"I plan on going on as long as I can. And my wife comes along with me now to keep me company!

"I really encourage anyone to come along to park run, it's a real sense of community and is great for fitness."