Ed Whitlock, an 85-year-old Canadian engineer, set a new 42.195km world record in the 85-90 year old category at the last Toronto Marathon: his final time was 3 hours and 56 minutes, over half an hour shorter than the previous record. At the end of the race the Canadian did not even appear too tired, only regret not having taken 6 minutes less.

"I was aiming for 3 hours and 50, but after halfway through the race I realized it was too difficult", this was his statement, while he complained with a smile of "pain in the legs". Those legs that allowed him to reach an enviable time by runners of all ages in the 2004 Toronto Marathon, which he finished in under 3 hours - exactly, 2 hours, 54 minutes and 49 seconds - at just 73 years old!

And he started running at 40, an age that often coincides with the retirement of professional runners, who instead for him, thanks to so much tenacity and willpower, marked the starting point to crush record after record. When asked what he will do when he grows up, he replies: "Nobody knows when the time for the last race will come, but I will continue to run as long as I can."

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2 years ago