The Walt Disney World Marathon celebrated its 30th year on January 8. Of the 12,690 finishers, 59 of them have run every single iteration since the inaugural race in 1994. Among those finishers is 80-year-old Rudy Smith from Gretna, Louisiana—who was the oldest runner to accomplish the feat.
“It’s one of the things that I would have never imagined when I started out in ’94, that I would be here 30 years later doing this. But, you know, it’s it’s a tradition with me. Every year in January, I’m here at Disney World,” Smith told Disney Diary.
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According to Disney Diary, Smith didn’t start running until his 40s. He was 50 years old when he ran his first Walt Disney World Marathon. As for whether he’ll continue the streak, Smith played it cool.
“Once I get through this, I’ll sit back and enjoy it and then I’ll be looking forward to maybe 31,” he said.
Chris Hatler is a writer and editor based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but before joining Runner’s World and Bicycling, he was a pro runner for Diadora, qualifying for multiple U.S. Championships in the 1500 meters. At his alma mater the University of Pennsylvania, Chris was a multiple-time Ivy League conference champion and sub-4 minute miler.
