91-year-old runs Crooked Billet 5K

You probably don’t expect to see a 91-year-old man running a marathon any time soon, but the family and fans of Albert Booth see it at least once every week.

Turning 92 on Oct. 30, Booth, from Lebanon, has been participating in local races for over 30 years.

"I played soccer for 20 years when I was younger and when I retired I decided to start running again,” he said.

On Saturday morning, Booth was racing at the Crooked Billet 5K in Warminster.

The race was organized by the Craven Hall Historical Society to raise awareness and funding for education of local area history.

“Our race actually covers hollowed ground,” said Erik Fleischer, president of the historical society.

The 3.1 mile course at rests upon the 1778 retreat route of the battle of Crooked Billet – the only major battle of the Revolutionary War to be fought in Bucks County.

In 2011, the old retreat route was graced by a cloudless sky. The racers, dressed in running shorts and t-shirts, found the morning air hovering in the 40s, but for Booth this was perfect running weather.

No stranger to inclement weather, Booth once showed up to a race during a sleet storm, being one of two people to actually show up that day.

“[The cold] makes it easier for me, breathing wise. In the summer, when it’s humid, I have trouble breathing in the humid weather. I get my best times when it’s cold,” Booth said before the race on Saturday.

Joined by over 60 athletes, Booth took off from the starting line.

And he did run better, finishing the course in about 36 minutes – 3 minutes faster than he ran last year at the event.

“It went really well, I was able to run the whole distance," said Booth. "I usually have to stop and walk, but this time I was able to run the entire time.”

For everyone who knows Booth, his physical and mental sharpness comes as an inspiring wonder.

Jim Crown, who is married to Booth’s grandniece, runs with Booth regularly and is always impressed by his strength. Crown has been a Philadelphia police officer for 16 years, serving in the narcotics division in Kensington.

“A couple years ago we ran up Broad Street,” Crown said, “He only finished a couple minutes behind me.”

So, what’s his secret? How does he stay in such great shape?

Well, as a kid Booth played soccer for about 20 years.

When he began running after retiring 30 years ago, Booth stuck to a schedule of running three miles every other day at the park near his home.

“I have a few weights in my basement that I might use too, but I only lift weights maybe once every two weeks. I mostly just run,” Booth said.

For diet, Booth regularly eats Lean Cuisine, rarely ever going out to eat.

“There’s certain portions [in the frozen dinners] so I just eat that and no more. If I go to a restaurant I stuff myself,” Booth said.

To keep his mind sharp, Booth likes to do crossword puzzles and play around with his iPad.

So stay active, a proportioned diet and puzzles. That is the secret to youth.

For Booth though, it’s business as usual. He was awarded for best time in the category of age 70 and over, which by now he is used to, and then headed home.

Tomorrow he’ll be out training again, running the length of the park near his home twice and looking forward to his birthday.

And although he may be another year older, he seems to be only getting faster.