Jerry Johncock is one determined guy. The 81-year-old marathoner above (2008 photo by Toni Johncock) found himself at mile 21 of Sunday’s Twin Cities Marathon having to go to the bathroom.  Here’s a summary from Paul Walsh of the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

Johncock, who became the first American 80 or over to break the four-hour mark at last year’s Twin Cities Marathon, was overcome with discomfort from a full bladder during this year’s race. He knew that a blood clot was preventing him from urinating.

With no catheter at the official aid station on East River Road in St. Paul, staffers there were telling the age-groupchampion runner that he would have to drop out and be taken to a hospital.

"I told them, ‘I gotta finish this marathon!’" said Johncock, who has run more than 100 marathons since he took up running at age 50 and has never dropped out.

Then from among the spectators, a middle-aged man piped up. "’I have a catheter in my car,’" Johncock recalled his anonymous rescuer saying.

The medical device was retrieved, Johncock entered the first aid van and "a first aid person helped me poke it into my bladder," allowing him to urinate.

"As soon as I got the catheter, I [urinated] and I was good to go," the retired television repairman said. "Oh, what a relief that was."

And yesterday, he learned that he won’t be penalized for stepping of the course for assistance.  He’ll soon receive the $225 prize for finishing first in the 80-84 age group.  Congratulations to Jerry Johncock and the Good Samaritan who provided the timely assist.