Sacramento Runner, 71, Chases Another Marathon Record
His running career began at 53, after years in nursing and hospital leadership.
A Sacramento runner is returning to the Chicago Marathon with another chance at the 70–74 age-group world record. The current mark is 2:54:18, set by Haeng-cheol Shin at the Seoul Marathon in March.
Last year, the runner stopped near mile 19 after a severe hamstring cramp ended his record attempt. He later recovered and ran the California International Marathon in 2:59:01, earning second place in the Abbott Age Group World Rankings and qualifying for the 2027 Age Group World Championships in Tokyo.
His progress began with a 10K in 2008, when he was 53. He later adopted structured workouts that included faster running, threshold efforts, and cross-training. In 2011, he broke three hours at the California International Marathon, improving from 3:53:41 two years earlier. He has remained under three hours in every marathon since. By age 70, he had established four U.S. records for runners ages 65–69, including marks for the 5K, 10 miles, and half marathon. His story also includes immigration from Eritrea, nursing education, and work with veterans and oncology patients.
- The Chicago record target is 2:54:18.
- He ran 2:59:01 at California International Marathon.
- His first race was a 10K in November 2008.
- Tokyo hosts the 2027 Age Group World Championships.
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