|
Publication Date: Wednesday, August 11, 2004 Dr. Bortz completes 34th marathon at age 74
Dr. Bortz completes 34th marathon at age 74
(August 11, 2004) By Jennifer Nuckols
Special to the Almanac
How many marathon runners do you know who are over 70? Dr. Walter Bortz of Portola Valley just ran his 34th marathon on August 1 in San Francisco, and he is 74 years old.
He has run a marathon every year since the year he turned 40, and wants to break a world record to be the oldest person ever to run a marathon. He has only 16 more years to go.
"I feel physically fabulous," says Dr. Bortz.
He finished the 26.2-mile race in 6 hours and 7 minutes, about 45 minutes slower than his average time, he says.
"I'm structurally strong, and I'm slow," says Dr. Bortz.
He already has other records under this belt. He and his wife Ruth Anne Bortz are the only married couple over 70 to ever finish the Boston Marathon.
Dr. Bortz is an associate professor of medicine at Stanford University, an author of many books an aging and longevity, a columnist for "Runner's World," and the chairman of the board of directors of Fifty-Plus Lifelong Fitness.
"My whole life is showing how important activity is for old people." he says.
E-mail a friend a link to this story. |
