A silver - haired English - born university graduate mining engineer , he was the first over 70 to break three hours for the marathon .
Whitlock is a wholly post-modern figure , a running superstar at age 79 .
A silver - haired English - born university graduate mining engineer , Whitlock was the first over 70 to break three hours for the marathon .
Whitlock is a wholly post-modern figure , a running superstar at age 79 .