THE funeral is being held today of an inspirational Inverclyde athlete who clocked up global records and won the veterans’ marathon world championship.

Bill Stoddart, pictured, who passed away last week at the age of 84, was one of the toughest competitors around. He gave absolutely everything in races and, like many great runners, was always generous with advice to others in the sport.

A life member of Greenock Wellpark Harriers and then Inverclyde Athletic Club, he was in a different league to the millions of ordinary marathoners like me who run to keep fit and record a reasonable time.

For Bill it was about being very competitive and training to an exceptionally high level, followed by 100 per cent total concentration and effort throughout the 26.2 miles of the marathon.

One of his proudest achievements was winning the inaugural Inverclyde Marathon in 1981, at the age of 50, in a tremendous time of two hours 27 minutes 53 seconds — only 20 seconds outside the world record for his age.

That was my first marathon. I recall shouting encouragement to him as he flew by in the opposite direction after reaching a turning point miles ahead of me.

He didn’t hear a word: jaw set, his face was fully focused on chasing and overcoming the leaders.

Bill was an exemplary role model for encouraging runners not to hang up their trainers when they hit 40.

He wanted us all to ‘keep on running’!