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Ming enjoying running return

Thumbs up: Damon Ming, the Dandy Town midfielder, finished 24th in the 10K race(Photograph by Colin Thompson)

Some footballers and cricketers turn to a more relaxing sport such as golf after their careers are over ... but not Damon Ming.

The Dandy Town and former Bermuda midfielder, who at 40 is the oldest player in the Premier Division, is returning to running, a sport he was promising at as a youngster.

Ming was first in his age group in the Front Street Mile in a time of 5min, 15.14sec and then competed in the 10K on Saturday, finishing 24th overall and fifth in the 40-49 age group with a time of 39.57.

He might have been tempted to turn out for the Half-Marathon yesterday, but football was the priority, playing for Town in the FA Cup against Paget Lions at St John’s Field yesterday.

“I’m coming to the end of my football career, so I’m trying to smooth right over into running,” Ming said. “I started running before I was playing football, but football is my first love and now, as it comes to an end, I’m trying to get in some shape to see what I can do on the running scene.”

Ming looked relaxed as he cooled down after the race on Saturday before he turned his focus to Town’s clash against Paget.

“I felt comfortable, both last night and today, and I’m just feeling where I am,” said Ming, who began his football career at Devonshire Colts.

“I don’t know when I’m going to pull down the curtains, but I know it’s coming to an end. I’m just trying to make that transition over to running. Running takes me away and gives me peace of mind.

“It’s been about five or six years since I last did the Front Street Mile and I felt good.

“Hopefully I can stay fit and see if I can go under five [minutes] next year.

“I’ll keep up my training, build my mileage up and see where I go from there.

“I try to do my extras in football anyway and my extras consist of running. It’s a smooth transition for me.”