AN OCTOGENARIAN runner who has pounded pavements all over the world is set to miss out on his home town race.

Jim Conaghan, 80, has to undergo an eye operation and won’t be joining the thousands of other runners and walkers on the start line of the Middlesbrough 10k on Sunday.

But his race number isn’t going to waste – his running partner and relative youngster at just 76 Phil Miles will be taking up the mantle.

Jim only started running at the age of 46, but made up for lost time with 11 London Marathons and hundreds of races across the UK and as far afield as Switzerland, Spain and Cyprus.

He now “only” runs 15 races a year – and had his heart set on this year’s Tees Pride 10k in Middlesbrough, only for the eye operation to scupper his plans.

He said: “I’m absolutely devastated to be missing out.

“I think I have done them all but one and that was due to an injury.”

Entries are still being taken for the 10k and 3km fun run, with the deadline extended to midnight on Wednesday.

Councillor Lewis Young, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, said: “Both Jim and Phil are shining examples of the lifetime’s pleasure running can bring. It’s a pity Jim is missing out this year.”

For more information visit www.runmiddlesbrough.com.