Sir Rod Stewart was born on January 10, 1945, in Highgate, London. He is an extraordinarily talented rock musician with a distinctive raspy voice. His astonishingly long career has been rewarded by induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a Grammy Award, a Brit Award, and he even has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!

So, are there any signs this incorrigible octogenarian might be slowing down now that he has reached the grand old age of 80? Absolutely not, if reports of his latest venture are correct. It would seem Sir Rod now has designs on becoming the fastest 80-year-old runner in history just as soon as he recovers from his current bout of flu.

Sir Rod has always kept remarkably fit despite the demands placed upon a touring rock star. The debilitation of his treatment for thyroid cancer in 2000 and prostate cancer in 2017 was overcome, perhaps due in part to his fine physical condition as a keen football player and avid supporter of Celtic and the Scotland national side.

Reports have emerged that Sir Rod has built a running track at his Essex country estate and is training hard for the 100m dash. He intends to take a tilt at the M80 100m world record, although he may have to reconsider this lofty ambition.

In a recent interview, Sir Rod said:  “I’ve got it down to 19 seconds by learning how to push off. Now I’m going for 17 seconds, which I think would be a world record for someone my age.”

The M80 world record is held by Kenton Brown (USA), who ran the 100m in 14.21 seconds in the Nevada Senior Games at Las Vegas on 5 October 2024. The British M80 record is 15.16 seconds, set by Tony Bowman in the British Masters Championships at Birmingham on 19 September 2015.

Could an ageing rock star possibly become the fastest ever 80-year-old sprinter? Sir Rod needs to find five more seconds, but with the latest technology 'super' spikes on an all-weather track and a cheering crowd in support, who knows what might be possible?

Sir Rod will perform in the coveted Legends slot on the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival on Sunday 29 June 2025 (15:45 – 17:15), going through his usual energetic routine. His running training helps him stay in shape as he explains: “I keep myself very fit,” he said. “I played soccer all my life. Don’t play much anymore after a knee replacement, but I’ve had the same trainer for 38 years. I’ve got a huge gym, an indoor pool, a golf course, you name it.”

Next year's World Masters Athletics Championships are in Daegu, South Korea. Will there be a 'Rocket' Rod Stewart in the final of the M80 100m? Probably not, but Sir Rod is showing us all that age is no barrier to fitness, and everyone needs to have an ambition at any age.

Rest up and Rock on, Rod!

Photo credit (cropped): Dietmar Rabich on Wikimedia Commons