Many people well into their sixties could be excused for enjoying their leisure time in a comfy armchair with feet up, but that is not the way of Cardigan shopkeeper Ray Hasler.

As he served visitors and locals in the Go Mango wholefood business at Black Lion Mews the affable Ray, who did not disclose his actual age but admitted to being a 1950s model, spoke about his ten years running half, full and ultramarathons – some events have been around a hundred miles – in various parts of the UK.

An unassuming individual, the father of three, who has lived in Llechryd for 40 years, has raised many thousands of pounds for local worthy causes through sponsorship.

It all started in 2009 when Ray, a vegan for more than 30 years, was overweight at nearly 15 stone, prompting him to change his diet to include mainly raw food, and came down to under eleven stone.

After losing weight the former opening batsman and opening bowler with Llechryd in the Pembroke County Cricket League started running in races over a wide area and last month won the super veterans (over 60 years) class in the 42nd annual Ras Beca, over a gruelling five-mile course in the Preseli Hills.

The following day Ray ran in his 103rd marathon – 26 miles and 385 yards - when completing the Narberth Nobbler race.

Ray regards the annual Snowdon Marathon – he has competed in seven – as his favourite event and also high on the list is the Rhayader Round the Lakes 20-mile race in Powys and the 42-mile ‘Run to the Castle’ event between Barmouth and Harlech.

He raised a substantial sum for retired and injured firemen when completing a marathon in Salisbury and in 2018 ran in the 100-mile three-day event along the Pembrokeshire coastal path from Dale to St Dogmaels.

The stamina-sapping activity would not be everyone’s cup of tea but Ray said “I enjoy it immensely and it is great relaxation.”

And at his age how long can he continue? “I’ll keep going until I fall over,” he said.