NYC’s First Marathon Winner, Now 80, Celebrates 50th Anniversary (New York: train, eat)
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Gary Muhrcke became the first New York City Marathon winner on September 13, 1970. Now he is 80, and to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his win, a took a lap around Central Park on September 13, 2020.
Only 127 runners participated in the original marathon, and Muhrcke was among the 55 who finished – taking first place when he completed the 26.2 mile course in about 2.5 hours. Now, over 50,000 runners compete each year. Between 1970-1975, the race consisted of several loops around Central Park.
While this year’s marathon has been cancelled due to the pandemic, there will be a virtual race between October 17 and November 1. More info about this year’s virtual marathon can be found at nyrr.org.
Thanks! I find it so encouraging (and amazing) to hear people still running when they're no longer in their 20's or 30's. It means I've run out of excuses.
One New York City marathoner may have discovered the fountain of youth, running! At 86 years young, she's a racked-up records, and is currently the fastest in her age group.
She ran her first marathon when she was 69 years old. She currently holds the U.S. marathon record for women ages 75 to 79, at 3 hours and 46 minutes! Bedard says no one comes close to beating her in her age category. “I love to be first.”
Thanks! I find it so encouraging (and amazing) to hear people still running when they're no longer in their 20's or 30's. It means I've run out of excuses.
I love hearing athlete stories in general. I find them inspiring and motivating. I'm a big fan of watching the Olympics, I find myself watching some sports I'd never normally watch and really get into it.
One New York City marathoner may have discovered the fountain of youth, running! At 86 years young, she's a racked-up records, and is currently the fastest in her age group.
She ran her first marathon when she was 69 years old. She currently holds the U.S. marathon record for women ages 75 to 79, at 3 hours and 46 minutes! Bedard says no one comes close to beating her in her age category. “I love to be first.”
That's an amazing time, in general and for someone in that age group ...puts me to shame. Though I have hopes of running again after I have my knee surgery in a few weeks. Ok lets be honest I still won't be able to pull a time like that.
I love hearing athlete stories in general. I find them inspiring and motivating. I'm a big fan of watching the Olympics, I find myself watching some sports I'd never normally watch and really get into it.
That's an amazing time, in general and for someone in that age group ...puts me to shame. Though I have hopes of running again after I have my knee surgery in a few weeks. Ok lets be honest I still won't be able to pull a time like that.
I do too. I got really into watching snowboarding at the last winter olympics. It's amazing what these guys (and gals) can do.
And yeah, her speed is amazing! For any age. She's faster than Puffy Combs when he ran the marathon and he's a guy. And...! Don't know how old he is but I'm sure he ain't 86. I think some people have specific "runners DNA". I'm sure you have to train and eat right and all those things but I think some people have better genes in running long distance. But, no matter what you still have to put in the work of training.
Too bad about your knee surgery. Hope you have a speedy recovery. A colleague of mine had knee surgery and her recovery time wasn't so bad and she was up and running half marathons in no time.
shame this year is cancelled. Would be nice to reunite and guide my disabled marathoner again for his 23rd consecutive NYCM at the age of 70. There are some amazing athletes out there.
I do too. I got really into watching snowboarding at the last winter olympics. It's amazing what these guys (and gals) can do.
And yeah, her speed is amazing! For any age. She's faster than Puffy Combs when he ran the marathon and he's a guy. And...! Don't know how old he is but I'm sure he ain't 86. I think some people have specific "runners DNA". I'm sure you have to train and eat right and all those things but I think some people have better genes in running long distance. But, no matter what you still have to put in the work of training.
Oh yah training is like a full time job. The older I get the less time I have had to train for it. When I work, I work easily 12 hour days. So while I'm always in good shape, I'm done many a marathons, "untrained". But if your in decent shape, it becomes mental after a while. In real life think how many miles you get in daily without even exercising, just going about your daily life.
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Originally Posted by Aeran
Too bad about your knee surgery. Hope you have a speedy recovery. A colleague of mine had knee surgery and her recovery time wasn't so bad and she was up and running half marathons in no time.
Thanks I'm actually super excited. I've been waiting months to do it, I just want it done and over and to be able to resume normal activities and being as active as I like. Next week is like Christmas to me. I can't wait .
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...puts me to shame. Though I have hopes of running again after I have my knee surgery in a few weeks. Ok lets be honest I still won't be able to pull a time like that.
Hope you have a speedy recovery. A colleague of mine had knee surgery and her recovery time wasn't so bad and she was up and running half marathons in no time.
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