9 Oldest People to Ever Run a Marathon
Running 26.2 miles sounds ambitious at any age, so it’s surprising how often people in their late 80s, 90s, and even past 100 have crossed marathon finish lines. Big city races with open entry rules helped make many of these moments possible. Together, these runners show how endurance sports can stretch far beyond what most people expect.
Fauja Singh
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The most famous name on this list did not become a runner until later adulthood. Fauja Singh returned to running seriously in 1995 after moving to London. He completed the London Marathon in 2000 with structured coaching. At age 93, he broke the marathon time record for runners aged 90+. His final competitive appearance came in 2013, when he completed a 10,000 at the Hong Kong Marathon at age 102. He received the British Empire Medal in 2015 and continues to engage in light exercise and follow a vegetarian diet.
Jenny Wood Allen
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At age 71, Jenny Wood Allen helped organize the first Dundee Marathon and decided to run it herself. She later completed more than 30 marathons. In 2002, she finished the London Marathon at age 90 in 11:34. She raised over £70,000, or about $96,000, for charity through her races. Even after her final marathon, she reportedly ran about 50 miles per week. She lived to age 99.
Dimitrion Yordanidis
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In 1976, Dimitrion Yordanidis ran the historic Marathon to Athens route at age 98. His recorded time was 7 hours and 33 minutes over roughly 26 miles. He held the age record for the oldest marathon runner for years. Very little personal information about him is available. Another runner once accused him of briefly using a car during the race, but no proof ever appeared. His run still stands as one of the earliest records for an athlete of extreme age in marathon history.
Jonathan Mendes
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Jonathan Mendes became known after unofficially completing the New York City Marathon in 2016 at age 96. He walked most of the course at about a 25-minute per mile pace. Two assistants helped him remain safe throughout the race. His trainer cleared him medically two weeks before the event. After finishing, he asked for a Scotch and continued walking afterward.
Harriette Thompson
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To make marathon running a family tradition, Harriette Thompson ran the San Diego Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon nearly every year from 1999 onward. She became the oldest female marathon finisher in 2015 at age 92, surviving cancer twice before continuing her races. It’s inspiring to know that she began running at age 76 after retiring from a career as a concert pianist. In 2017, she completed a half-marathon at age 94.
Gladys Burrill
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Gladys Burrill did not start running until age 86. Six years later, she finished the Honolulu Marathon in 2012 at age 92. Her time was 9:53:16. Before running, she worked as a multi-engine pilot and spent years hiking deserts and climbing mountains. Her first marathon idea came while watching fireworks before a race. Fellow runners nicknamed her “Gladiator” after she set the age record.
Paul Freedman
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A 69-year-old Paul Freedman found marathon running and continued racing after surviving a heart attack at age 79. He was 90 when he ran the London Marathon in 2015, and for several years, he was the oldest official participant in the event. He raised more than $100,000 in support of hospice care charities. Freedman also organized performances for sick and elderly audiences until he passed away from cancer in 2017.
Betty Jean McHugh
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Betty Jean McHugh earned the nickname “Flying Granny” through age-group records. She began serious running at age 50, and by 2016, she completed the Honolulu Marathon at age 88 in 6:31:32. One year earlier, she ran a half-marathon 30 minutes faster than the existing record for her age group. And despite suffering a fall just days before the event, she finished the Honolulu race.
Iva Barr
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Iva Barr crossed the finish line of the London Marathon in 2015 at age 87. Her time was 7:29:00. She did not follow a structured training plan, but her preparation mainly involved long walks and increased carbohydrate intake. She aimed for a 20-mile training run but reached 16 miles before race day. Barr ran for the Whizz Kids charity and received the Point of Light award.