IT'S official. Alan Clarkson is the fastest postie in England.
Aged 42 and three quarters, the Clayton Harrier may be approaching the veteran stage these days, but when it comes to competing in Marathons, he's still more than capable of delivering the goods.
Three years ago, some of the Royal Mail's finest athletes entered the London Marathon in a bid to find the quickest postman.
And Alan was the first one back in a time of 2hrs 38mins, winning a special commemorative bottle of bubbly for his efforts.
Tomorrow, the Burnley-based postie is hoping for another red letter day by joining the sub 2hrs 30mins club.
But he denies the fact he's been putting in extra training whilst doing his daily rounds.
"I have been known to run on the job but that's usually when I've got somewhere to go," joked Clarkson.
"And the bag's a bit too heavy for that, anyway.
"But on a serious note, it's a good job to be in because it gives me plenty of time to train.
"I finish early every day so I can come home and go out in the afternoons and again in the evenings if I want.
"Plus, I'm walking a few miles on the job as well." Clarkson was a sprightly 37-year-old when he first decided to take up marathon running.
After a chequered career as an amateur footballer, he chose to channel his energies into running.
At first, he competed purely on a local level but it soon became apparent he had natural talent.
Within three years he had won the postman's challenge in a remarkable time of 2hrs 38mins.
Then 18 months ago, he claimed his biggest triumph yet, winning the Wolverhampton Marathon in a personal best time of 2hrs 31mins 39secs.
Tomorrow, will be his ninth marathon and he would dearly love to defy the aging process once again with a sub 2hrs 30mins time.
The key to success, he believes, is using your head -- something which comes with maturity.
"I think the secret is even paced running," said Clarkson.
"You want to be finishing as quickly as you started if that's at all possible.
"If you fly off too quickly then you really will suffer.
"If I can do 2hrs 31mins at Wolverhampton, which is a tougher course than London, then I should have a good chance of beating that tomorrow.
"But on the day everything has to be spot on.
"If I want to go below 2hrs 30mins then I've got to shave about 100 seconds off my best time.
"That doesn't sound too much but it's about three or four seconds off every mile which is going some."
As a youngster, Clarkson had dreamed of becoming a professional footballer.
These days, running is his drug. And though he has had to make sacrifices along the way -- like virtually giving up drinking -- to continue competing at the highest level, he insists it has all been worth it.
His only regret is he did not start earlier.
"Running dominates everything in my life these days -- it's taken over.
"I used to enjoy a drink but it didn't take long to realise they don't mix.
"But now I'm happy just doing what I'm doing and I don't need a drink.
"I get more of a buzz out of running than I ever did from alcohol.
"But I just wish I had taken it up earlier because who knows what could have happened."
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