Radio Ron Chilton with Stanford Mayor Dalton Miller before the Jingle Bell Jog 5K. (Molly Wise Photo)
Make it another bucket list item completed for University of Kentucky fan “Radio Ron” Chilton. A few weeks ago he became the oldest finisher ever at age 86 at the Light The Way 5K at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN. On Sunday, he set the standard at the Jingle Bell Jog 5K in Stanford when he finished in 49 minutes, 42.5 seconds — over 10 minutes faster than he ran at Dollywood — to become the oldest finisher in the 14-year history of this event that raises money for Alzheimer’s research.
Chilton is a Danville native and I have known him for years. He annually comes back to run at least one 5K in Danville each year. But for 86 years old, he’s a fitness guru who still competes in the Senior Olympics as well as 5K events.
Stanford Mayor Dalton Miller knew Chilton and greeted him. Ambrose Wilson, 71, knew Chilton from the Senior Olympics. Derik Hunt and many others knew “Radio Ron” from his frequent calls to Kentucky Sports Radio.
“I met so many people who had either heard my calls to KSR or had competed with me at the Kentucky Senior Olympic Games,” Chilton said.
However, I think his real highlight was meeting Miss Kentucky Haley Wheeler of Clay City.
“She is a delight. She observed that I was struggling with the pins for my numerical bib for the race. She came right over and said, ‘Let me pin it on for you,'” Chilton said.
“She also promotes work for Alzheimer’s research.”
Wheeler also enjoys visiting nursing homes and you can arrange a visit by contacting her at bookmissky@gmail.com. That’s her passion and her story about why is powerful. She will join us on WPBK (102.9 FM, wpbkfm.com) on Jan. 6 from 7:15-8 a.m. to talk about her passion — and that will also be after she competes in the Miss America pageant next week.
Chilton certainly would give Reed his vote if he had one but he was just as proud of his first-place finish in his age group as she would be if she was crowned Miss America.
“All in all, it was a most satisfying day,” he said. “Not only proving to myself that I can still run over three miles competitively with two 85-year-olds breathing down my neck, but I was able to cross off another item on my bucket ‘list,” he said.
If you have a 5K for Chilton, reach out to him on Facebook or on Twitter (@radioronch). He’s a hit anywhere he goes and a record-setter — who also loves his Wildcats.
