Oldest person to complete a marathon (male)

The oldest man to complete a 26-mile marathon was Greek runner Dimitrion Yordanidis, in Athens, Greece on 10 October 1976. At age 98, he finished in 7 hr 33 min.

World Oldest Marathon Women Runner Guinness Record set by Gladys

Already one of the Honolulu Marathon's most recognized and beloved competitors, 92-year-old Gladys "Glady" Burrill is a Guinness World Records confirmation away from achieving a notable first for herself and her favorite race.

On Dec 19, 2010, Burrill completed her fifth Hono-lulu Marathon in seven attempts with an official time of 9 hours, 53 minutes and 16 seconds.

California International Marathon Notes: Klein, 80, sets age-group record

By John Schumacher -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 a.m. PST Monday, December 9, 2002

As Helen Klein thundered down the final stretch, running arm-in-arm with her husband, Norm, applause built to a crescendo.

If you can't appreciate what Klein did Sunday in the 20th California Marathon, you might not clap for anything.

The 80-year-old Rancho Cordova runner shattered the world marathon record for her age group, finishing the 26-mile, 385-yard course in 4 hours, 31 minutes, 32 seconds.

Klein, 5-foot-5 and 109 pounds, could have stopped for lunch and still erased the old mark of 5:10. When she was done, she accepted a bouquet, posed for several pictures and even signed an autograph for a fan.

"I ran faster than I wanted to run," said Klein, who finished well under her goal of 4:45. "I felt good the whole way. I had no problem."

Klein, who has finished 59 marathons and 132 ultramarathons, is a great-grandmother who smoked for 25 years and didn't start running until she was 55.

"I like to inspire people," Klein said. "People in this world are going to pot, just putting on weight. Every year they're heavier. It's certainly not necessary.

"I feel absolutely wonderful. I have no problems at all. At 80, it has to be the running."

The story of Rick and Dick Hoyt - Team Hoyt

Video on YouTube

MEN 90 TO 94

Abraham Weintraub
Greater New York Racing Team
Highlights:
• In 2000, Weintraub set the 90+ world record at the New York City Marathon.

• Abraham Weintraub, 91, Brooklyn, was the oldest man in the New York City Marathon, 11/13/2001.  He finished in 8:37:57.
• Weintraub didn't begin running until he was 80 years of age; since that time he estimates he has finished more than 500 races.

• In the race of Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile in 2007,  Abraham Weintraub of Greater New York, was the most senior runner—at 98 years old, he finished the mile in 18:49.

Badwater Ultramarathon: 135 miles in 130-degree heat

DEATH VALLEY, California (CNN) -- Today, you get a call from a friend. They need a favor.

Runners chase each other during the first 20 miles of Badwater.

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more photos »

Would you mind spending your vacation time this summer in Death Valley, a desert where temperatures hover around 130 degrees?

Would you be OK with sleeping in a van, if you get to sleep at all, for three days, because you'll be working your tail off spraying runners down with water, dunking them in ice and keeping track of everything that goes in (and -- yes -- out) of their body every 15 minutes so they don't die running 135 miles in the hardest footrace on the planet?

"Yeah, man, it's Badwater. You don't turn down a chance to be at Badwater," Mark Paterson said, adjusting his visor as sweat soaked his face.

He pulls at his shirt, trying to create some air, pointlessly. It was 4 p.m. and 126 degrees in a Death Valley village called Furnace Creek, what whoever coined the phrase, 'Hell on earth' had in mind.

"You get that call and you do what's right," Paterson said. "You make sure your runner gets the ultimate bragging right, maybe the biggest big deal of all, the event that makes everyone else go, 'Badwater? Oh, no, man, you did not just do that!' "

Paterson was right. The Adventurecorps Badwater Ultramarathon is infamous in endurance sports circles. It is the running equivalent of summiting Everest, the ultimate test of mental fortitude, a hippy communion with the desert of epic highs and lows (literally -- the race starts at 280 feet below sea level, the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere, covers three mountain ranges for descents and ascents totaling 9,000 feet and ends halfway up Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous United States).

For all the nonsweaters out there -- consider how long it takes to drive from Baltimore to New York. Now imagine running that distance...without sleep...with 10,000 blow dryers pointed at you the entire time. Watch what it takes to battle Badwater »

All that for a belt buckle?

You apply to Badwater the way you apply to Harvard. Runners from across the world try to wow a finicky race jury by submitting awesome scores (provable race finishing times from at least two 100-mile events) and an essay conveying they have the stamina to tackle such a gnarly challenge. Gnarly meaning blisters that turn feet into pizza; dehydration that can lead to organ and brain damage, heat stroke and hyponatremia; a salt imbalance that makes extremities swell like sausages. For good measure, let's throw in heat and sleep-deprivation induced hallucinations.

The entry fee is $795 (steep, sure, but an eight-person medical team, insurance, supplies and logistics to stage a monster event in the middle of nowhere ain't cheap). Crews aren't paid.

The prize at the race often called Satan's Fun Run, should one finish in less than 48 hours, is a thick silver belt buckle. See the runners, the finish and the buckle »

"To talk about the buckle is to miss the point," said Marshall Ulrich, a 58-year-old endurance sensei who has done Badwater more than a dozen times and has summited Everest. Notorious for having his toenails surgically removed -- toenails fall off anyway when you're an endurance runner -- Marshall is, contrary to what most people assume, not a machine.

He started running when he was 28, after his doctor told him to get off his butt and lower his blood pressure or expect an early grave. See interactive map of route, distance, elevation »

"You run Badwater because there's something in you that wants to get out there, in the middle of nowhere, and think about something. It's a way of freeing yourself, getting back to what I really believe people are supposed to be doing instead of relying so much on a bunch of material crap that only makes us weaker. We are built to run, to cover great distance, for survival sake."

Slightly less extreme, the women's winner of Badwater, two years in a row, is Jamie Donaldson, a middle school math teacher from Colorado. A lawyer, politician, small business owner, real estate agent and a college student ran Badwater this year, and its overall winner, coming in at 23:39:18, was Marcos Farinazzo, a 40-year-old hospital worker from Brazil.

The oldest runner this year was 67-year-old Arthur Webb, who has finished 10 consecutive Badwaters. Race officials using walkie-talkies (there's no cell service in Death Valley) counted him out at mile 17 where he cramped and jumped in a pool to cool down.

Time, ice and a few massages later, Webb was on the course again, not stopping until he crossed the finish line more than 40 hours later.

Good crew, good race -- probably

"First, you gotta have your hydration log. How much has your runner had to drink, how much do they need," Paterson said.

"Endurolytes, quarters of peanut butter sandwiches, something fizzy for when they start having digestion issues -- 'cause they're gonna have 'em -- your various tapes and bandages for the feet, Neosporin, Preparation H, animal cookies," he said. "We jump out of that van every quarter mile with two buckets. I got my bucket of water and ice with a straight block of ice and a bucket of ice and sports drink. The runner gets every other one, you rotate."

The grossest but most necessary job?

"You have to check if their urine is clear, so you better be looking at that, and they better be going often," Paterson said.

As the race wore on, its 60-hour course limit blurring the days, plastic cups labeled with runners' names who'd suffered serious dehydration began dotting a hotel room that served as Badwater's medical center. They looked filled with varying concentrations of apple juice, one redder than the next.

Paterson's runner Tim Kjenstad, a 51-year-old California firefighter, has run Badwater before, but this year, sacked by severe dehydration and bodily functions that don't need to be mentioned, he had to DNF (the dreaded initials for Did Not Finish) at mile 44.

"Nobody can say that running 135 miles in the desert is healthy," said Dr. Lisa Stranc Bliss, the head of the medical staff, who herself has run Badwater. "But I'm not going to say it isn't one of the most incredible experiences of your life."

Beyond the physical, there's an emotional bond forged between crew members and runners that military types call "embracing the suck."

The wife of a Brazilian runner, Cas Camara, who came in dead last far past the 60-hour mark, screamed and cried and begged her husband, who had fallen to the ground, his body seemingly wasted, to get up, get up and finish.

Members of a Navajo tribe and an entire family, tiny kids included, packed into a van to follow one runner. When Arnold Begay reached his breaking point, two of the men lifted him to his feet and a woman cupped his face and sang to him. He went on.

Some crewers ran 80 kilometers, completely anonymously, just to keep their runner on a specific pace. Many were exhausted from running their own ultramarathons only weeks before. Badwater's past champ, Hungarian Akos Konya crewed for 19-year-old Arizona college student Nick Hollon who made history as the event's youngest ever competitor.

"Nick emailed me and said how would you like to help me," explained Konya, hovering over his runner Nick Hollon at mile 72. Hollon was in pain. The teen's feet were chewed and he was about to take a needle to his blisters.

Konya, skinny and fast as a Greyhound, put his hand on Hollon's shoulder. He seemed shocked by the question -- Why would you go through Badwater to help out a kid you barely know?

"Why would I not help him do this? He asked me. I don't understand why you would say no."

Marathon Mile Markers

Race Prediction Formulas

(for the 5K, 10k, Half Marathon and Marathon distances, based upon a one mile time trial)

You would never be clueless when asked why you run a marathon!
(from runaddicts.com)
•  Fire yourself up with excitement and anticipation
•  Let go of negative emotions
•  It’s a great topic to share
•  Soar high with runner’s high
•  Don’t you love toned legs?
•  Eliminate “I can’t” from your dictionary
•  Boost your self-confidence
•  Dare to dream big…
•  Lose your weight and gain your life
•  Enjoy looking at the mirror
•  ”Waaw” the crowd
•  Rationality and marathoning don’t rhyme!
•  The older, the better…
•  The joy of true accomplishment
•  Inspirational experience
•  Meet fellow “marathoners”
•  Longer happier life
•  Rediscover yourself
•  The most guilt-free dinner all time: the after-marathon dinner
•  Stamina…
•  Explore a new city!
•  Make history
•  Get your “finisher” medal.
•  Be the pride and joy of your family
•  Get the marathoner “chin”
•  Kick off your adventure
•  A replica of life
•  Tears of joy
•  The Queen of England passion for marathons (true story) .
•  Puff Daddy, Oprah and George Bush did it!
•  Think of all the French toast and cheesecake you can devour…
•  Crossing the finish line
•  Getting a well-deserved sway bag
•  Finally, all that hard work pays off
•  Become a star
•  The beer truck at the finish line
•  Make a meaningful contribution: donate to your favorite charity
•  Rejuvenate your soul
•  Because it’s quicker than walking?
•  Amaze others
•  Enjoy running in the middle of the streets
•  Run your Personal Record
•  WIN
•  You can scratch it off of your bucket list
•  Looks great on your resumé!
•  Oprah did it!
•  What does not kill you makes you stronger
•  You’ll be in the best shape of your life
•  A great preparation for an ultra-marathon
•  You’ll have something to brag about
•  Show the world that marathoning is non-fiction!
•  Use it to quit smoking
•  Playing the song “Chariots of Fire” while you run your last mile/
km
•  Have a laugh and cross the finish line running backwards!
•  Do it for the men/ladies
•  Meet new and interesting people
•  Finally put a decent distance in your running log
•  Because it’s a really good excuse to buy new clothes
•  Why should the Kenyans have all the fun?
•  Because toenails are for sissies
•  So for the rest of your life you can start whatever story you want
with “Well, when I ran my first Marathon…
•  For the free drinks along the way
•  To get that “26.2″ tattoo
•  To be a small part of a big legend
•  Because 20 years from now, you’ll be shocked you were ever in such
good shape
•  It’s better than a poke in the eye!
•  There is only one person you’re truly accountable to: yourself
•  It puts things in perspective
•  To save yourself from the growing obesity epidemic
•  Experience the emotion of giving your all to yourself
•  Conquer your laziness
•  A great way to kill time
•  Ask the right questions
•  Jump in!
•  Bond with your friends
•  You will be happy you did!
•  A care-free experience
•  A good reason to throw a party!
•  A wonderful icebreaker!
•  A good reason to escape a nagging spouse!
•  Become invincible
•  Break some conventional rules (1)!
•  Break some conventional rules (2)!
•  Boost your “WaaWooMeter”
•  Compete with Tom Cruise!
•  There can be miracles when you believe…
•  Would you prefer to sky dive instead?!

What Causes Running Cramps and How to Avoid them?

Running cramps can quickly turn an enjoyable workout into a miserable experience. Here are some facts and tips on what causes running cramps and how to avoid them.

There are many types of cramps that runners may experience. The majority of them can be classified as either muscle or ‘side-stitch’. Muscle cramps can occur from a lack of stretching or loosening of the muscles (attempting to go too quick too soon). They can also occur from dehydration and/or an electrolyte deficiency. In fact, heat cramps are one of the warning signs for heat exhaustion and should be treated immediately by drinking some water or a sports drink.

Another cause of cramps is shallow breathing which ultimately leads to a lack of oxygen. To help the ‘side-stitch’ go away, take some deep breaths. Starting a race too quickly and being out of breath can lead to this most notorious runner's cramp. With proper conditioning and gradual intensity increases, this type of cramp should go away.

Another common cause of cramps is eating too much or not enough before a race or workout. Some foods that take longer to digest (meat, dairy, fats,,) could be in your stomach for hours and will likely make their presence known if you chose to “eat & run”.

So to review, here are some tips to help you avoid running cramps:

• Hydrate!
  Especially in vigorous exercise or a hot environment, your system needs water to process wastes, cool your body, and get oxygen to the muscles. Make sure you drink plenty of water before, during, and after your workout (if your peeing dark yellow…you’re likely dehydrated).

   

• Stretch / Warm-up
  By stretching and loosing your muscles prior to a workout, you reduce the chances of straining contracted muscles. Warm-ups allow your body to gradually ‘ramp-up’ to the level of effort you expect during the run or race.

   

• Deep Breaths
  During exercise, your body is burning fuel at a much higher rate than when you’re sitting still. Shallow breathing will ultimately lead to a part of your body not getting the necessary oxygen, causing a cramp. If you get the infamous ‘side-stitch’ while running try taking some deep breaths – it may very well reduce or eliminate the pain.

   

• Eat Smart
  Most marathons have a pre-race pasta or carb party the night before…you’ll notice that most don’t have BBQs. Carbohydrates, of which pasta is a good source, are easily converted into fuel by the body, whereas proteins and fats take much more time and effort by the digestive system. Keep this is mind when you plan meals around your workouts.

   

• Conditioning
  Simply put: try not to take huge leaps to get to your goal. Gradual steps will allow your body to grow and strengthen from the stress-rest-heal-build cycle. This conditioning will create more aerobic capacity and muscle-waste handling ability. And aside from reducing running cramps, you’ll also reduce the risk of sickness and injury that can result from overtraining.