Muriel lives Olympic dream at 81!

KEEP on running ... Muriel Brown (81) is set to be an Olympic torchbearer

A FITNESS fanatic great-grandmother will get the chance to fulfil a dream after being chosen to carry the Olympic torch.

Keeping active has been a way of life for sprightly Muriel Brown from Uppermill.

Now she’ll show the young ones just how it’s done by carrying the Olympic torch at the ripe age of 81.

It was a surprise gift to remember for Muriel, who was told on her 81st birthday she’d been selected to brandish the iconic flame as it makes its way across the country.

She’s doing the double after carrying the baton for Manchester’s Commonwealth Games in 2002.

She said: “It’s only just sinking in now — it was the best present I could have asked for. Finding out was a real ‘wow’ moment.

“It’s really made me sit and think what I’ve done with my life and I’ve kept on flying through.

“Even doing the Commonwealth, everyone was out in the streets and cheering. It will be amazing to take part in the Olympic procession.”

Muriel, who has two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, started running when she joined the East Cheshire Harriers in 1948.

She said: “I was really into cycling but my bike was stolen and I couldn’t afford another. My husband Walter said I should take up running as all I needed was a pair of pumps.”

From there on in she excelled herself.

When not working in accountancy, Muriel would tackle 10k races and completed three marathons in her 50s, training for up to 80 hours a week.

She won gold in the World Championships 10k race in the over 50s category in the south of France.

“I was absolutely thrilled with that, I couldn’t believe I’d come first,” said Muriel.

Now, having been a treasurer for her running club for the past 20 years and a referee at events throughout the country, she keeps on going.

Muriel can be found at the leisure centre in Uppermill most days, if not in the gym indulging in yoga or aqua fit classes as well as walking and jogging around Saddleworth.

Her moment of Olympic glory will be on Monday, June 25, somewhere between Leeds and Sheffield.

It will act as a fitting reminder of the contribution sport can have to staying fit and healthy.

Muriel said: “I look at other people my age and think ‘gosh, I have been lucky.’

“I have met some fantastic people along the way, met some really enthusiastic youngsters and I’ve done it all because I have wanted to - sport has kept me going.

“I’ll be so proud to carry the torch, it’ll be fantastic.”