Super-fit Ron wins Games honour

Ron Rodger, the town’s best-known octogenarian, was delighted to receive official confirmation of the appointment in a letter last week.

He told the News: “I live in Lennoxtown now, but I’m ion Cumbernauld all the time, and am a member of the Cumbernauld Male Voice Choir.l

“I had hoped I might get a chance to carry the baton, as the place means so much to me, and now I’m really looking forward to the day.

“Cumbernauld is a brilliant place and fully deserves the honour - and of course as it is so close to where the Games action will be happening it has an important role to play.

“It will be something many people will remember forever, and to be involved in it in some small way is a real honour.”

Ron has spent a lifetime involved in physical fitness training, having been the manager of the Greenfaulds temporary sports centre when it opened in 1969, then recreation manager of the Tryst.

He’s also a former Scottish junior gymnastics champion and a British veterans champion.

Ron celebrated his 82nd birthday by putting on what amounted to a gymnastics display for the press, and is one of the fittest men of his age group in the country.

But apart from his exercise regime he has many other interests - for example e visiting nursing homes and senior citizens’ clubs in and around Glasgow to entertain people with his accordion.

Meanwhile he was presented with honorary life memership of Cumbernauld’s gymanastics club some years ago, in token of appreciation for the contribution he has made to the pursuit of health and fitness in the area.

He has made it clear that carrying the baton will be another major highlight in an action-packed career.