New Year Honours: 'Death Valley Jack' shocked by his honour
A 77-year-old grandfather who has completed one of the world's toughest races a dozen times – the last time at the age of 75 – said yesterday he was an "ordinary fella" in shock at being appointed MBE.
The former school caretaker Jack Denness has raised more than £100,000 by running in more than 100 marathons and scores of other endurance races, including the 135-mile Badwater Ultra Marathon through the Nevada Desert.
Known in his home town of Rochester, Kent, as "Death Valley Jack", he said: "I was shocked they would give this to me. I'm just an ordinary fella."
Further reading:
New Year Honours: Plain old Mister will do, says Bradley Wiggins - Britain's two-wheeled knight
New Year Honours: Cherie Blair recognised for services to women
New Year Honours: Quentin Blake knighted, Kate Bush appointed CBE
New Year Honours: Praise for the 'normal people' who get Britain ticking
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies