IN 1984, Gordon Seward became the city's sporting hero when he won the Exeter Marathon for the second time in a row.

That race has since been replaced by the Great West Run, which is now in its 25th year.

Gordon, now 56, has run in six of the half marathons and acted as an official time-keeper for three. Semi-retired Gordon, who lives in Heavitree, Exeter, is looking forward to this Sunday's Guildhall Shopping Centre Great West Run.

"It's one of the few times in sport where you get amateurs taking part in the same event as professionals," he said. "There is a great sense of community."

Gordon started running when he was still at school and joined Exeter Harriers 40 years ago in 1969.

"I was one of the original road runners," he said.

"When I started running in the 1960s it was a really unusual sport and quite elitist with very few people entering road races and marathons.

"But then, in the 1980s, there was a bit of a boom and it became popular. It is now a big sport, with people of all fitness levels taking part."

Running fanatic Gordon trains seven days a week. He said: "I go for a run every day, unless I am injured. I try to do about 60 miles a week, which means some days I go twice.

"I enjoy the challenge of trying to beat the times, and I rarely take any days off as I am scared of breaking the routine."

Gordon particularly enjoys running around the Devon countryside.

"Often I train on Dartmoor or the Haldon Hills," said Gordon.

"With running you get to enjoy the beautiful scenery — and it's all for free."

Gordon has set himself a time target for Sunday's race. He wants to complete the 13.1-mile course in 78 minutes and 30 seconds.

He said: "If I get that time I will reward myself by cutting my hair.

I haven't had it cut in a year-and-a-half and I hate having long hair. So that gives me something to focus on."

He has high hopes of running and entering more races over the next few decades. "You get people who still run in their 80s and 90s," he said. "Each year I have to train a bit harder than the previous year, or my race performance will deteriorate.

"But if running is doing you no harm, then I don't see that it is a problem.

"It is all to do with your attitude and mind set. I plan on making the most of running while I am willing and able."

See the Echo's Great West Run coverage at www.thisisexeter.co.uk/greatwestrun.