Ian Winship completed the Cumbernauld 10K on 13 September in 1 hour, 4 minutes, and 37 seconds, setting a new world-best time for a 90-year-old. The achievement was recognised with a special trophy presented to him today.
Event manager Stuart Smith commented on the unexpected nature of the award, stating, "To be honest, we never considered having an over-90s trophy, but then we hadn't factored in Ian and all his incredible achievements. It's great that we were able to present him with his trophy today."
Provost Kenneth Duffy expressed his privilege in presenting the trophy, calling Winship's achievement "outstanding" and "even more remarkable" for setting a world-best time for his age group. He described Winship as an inspiration and stated that North Lanarkshire is incredibly proud of him.
Overwhelmed by the recognition, Ian Winship described himself as "just an ordinary guy from Cumbernauld who happened to run well." He praised Cumbernauld as "an ideal place for running," citing the surrounding trees and forests.
Winship attributes his continued running ability to a daily routine of 20,000 steps and a mindful approach to his diet. He is already planning to beat his own record next year, aiming to complete the 10K in under an hour. "When you're running, if you're giving your all, it doesn't matter what you're doing. If you don't leave yourself exhausted, you've left something behind. You've just got to go for the finishing line,” he stated.
Councillor Geraldine Woods, Convener of Communities, highlighted Ian's positive approach to life as an example and a reflection of the strong community spirit promoted by events like the Cumbernauld 10K. She also thanked the NHS Suicide Prevention Team for their support, noting its investment has helped deliver a high-quality community event.
The Cumbernauld 10K, organised by North Lanarkshire Council, is now in its 19th year and attracts runners of all ages and abilities. The event, which starts and finishes at Broadwood Stadium, was named Scotland's 10K of the Year at the National Running Awards in 2018. The main 10K race is complemented by shorter events, including a 5K, 1K, 400m, and Toddler Dash, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of participants.
