Flash Gordon

Describing solicitor Jeffrey Gordon (pictured) requires some impressive numbers. He was admitted in 1956 after five years of articles, which means the 78-year-old has been working in the law for 61 years. He has run more than 100 marathons, including all 32 London marathons, and he has run the London to Brighton race – some 52 miles – seven times. He is still running marathons because, according to his wife Shirley (who says she has never run further than five kilometres), he is ‘absolutely bonkers’.

Gordon has also stood as a Conservative candidate in 12 local elections, failing to win a seat 12 times. He was Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year in 2003. And some 40 years ago, it was his persistence on behalf of a client who could not get legal aid that brought into being the ‘Mackenzie Friend’ system of support during court proceedings.

And why is he in the news again? Because on 23 July Gordon will be one of the London 2012 Olympic torchbearers when the flame reaches Wandsworth, London, postcodes SW1 to SW20.