Old couple finishes full marathon, hand in hand

Two people in their 80s gave running out the clock a whole new meaning when they ran a full marathon on Sunday.

The couple, Zhang Liangyou, 88, and Shang Dian'e, 82, completed the Zhengkai International Marathon in Henan Province in seven hours and three minutes.

Zhang, who had ran half-marathons for the past five years, finished his first full 42.2-kilometer race while holding hands with his wife.

Family and friends followed the duo from Huainan, Anhui province as they ran the race.

"We wanted to be there for them in case anything happened," said Zhang's son, who noted that his father is a running fanatic and has participated in a number of marathons across the country.

Zhang explained he started training for marathons in 1952. "Marathons were the most effective and affordable way of exercise, especially at a time when we didn't have much else," Zhang said.

He and his wife surnamed Shang regularly get up at 3:30 am and run at least 20 kilometers. He also helps neighbors buy bean sprouts from a county market - 25 kilometers away.

However, Zhang's son explains this may be his father's last race. "It's risky to continue running at his age," he said.