Ozy celebrates marathon efforts

nlnews@archant.co.uk
03 May 2006

Ozy Waye receives his medal for completing 100 marathons

MUSWELL Hill marathon man Ozy Waye completed his 101st race - dressed as a polar bear.

Mr Waye, 56, of Dukes Avenue, ran his 100th marathon across the North Pole earlier this month - and then completed the London Marathon.

Despite having run marathons on each of the world's continents - plus on the North and South Pole - Mr Waye does not consider himself a "serious runner".

He said: "I suppose you could say I've run on top of the world - and the bottom. I still don't consider myself to be a serious runner. It has been a great way to see the world, and test myself."

He said: "For my 100th I was there along with 54 other people. The snow was too deep to run so we trudged through the snow for 26 miles."

Although the temperature was well in the minus figures he described the weather as "really quite fantastic," and even managed to do one section of the race in his polar bear suit.

Entering the London Marathon - in his bear suit for the first half - was a celebration of his century and also his induction into the elite Grand Slam Club - people who have run on all seven continents and the poles

Mr Waye said: "The outfit is heavy. Fortunately it was a cold day and I appreciated the warmth."

My Waye, who is a church caretaker, says will now be content to do "the odd relaxing marathon".

He was raising cash for Muswell Hill Soup Kitchen and cerebral palsy charity The Hornsey Trust.