Shane Warne, 51, looks youthful during a press conference to launch Run The Tan in Melbourne

He’s the youthful sporting legend who will turn 52 later this year.

But Shane Warne appeared to wind back the clock during a charity event in Melbourne on Wednesday.

The former national cricket player looked slim and healthy in a form-fighting black jacket over a white T-shirt for the Run The Tan event. 

The retired bowler completed the look with dark trousers and black Chelsea boots.

Warne was there to launch the annual running event which takes place on the Tan track South East of Melbourne’s CBD. 

The annual event is designed to promote a healthy & active lifestyle and to raise awareness of the positive impact that exercise has on mental health and wellbeing. 

Joining Shane at the launch were his fellow athletes, AFL’s Ben Cunnington and long distance runners Craig Mottram and Stewart McSweyn. 

Warne is now firmly focused on expanding his SevenZeroEight gin empire, and last month launched a new range of premixed alcohol drinks, named 23 Mid-Strength Gin and Slim Tonic.

He said while he has met a number of ‘interesting, successful and generous people’ throughout his storied sporting career, both the former media heavyweight Kerry Packer and businessman and racehorse owner Lloyd Williams had the most impact on his life. 

Warne described Williams, regarded as one of Australia’s greatest racehorse owners with the most number of Melbourne Cup wins, as ‘the most impressive person I’ve ever met’.

Both men had ‘shaped how I think about my business ventures,’ Warne said.

He added he also admired Bob Hawke – ‘the greatest Prime Minister I’ve seen in my lifetime’. Warne’s mother used to clean the Hawke’s home.

Warne, who was given a 12-month ban from cricket in 2003 after returning a positive result for a banned diuretic, now also works as a commentator.