MACON, Ga. (AP) - Terry Patterson plans to run a dozen marathons in 2020 as he keep logging road race miles at the age of 65.
Patterson of Macon ran his first marathon, the local Cherry Blossom Road Race, in 2002. He began entering more races and hasn’t stopped.
In fewer than two decades, Patterson says, he’s completed 83 marathons in all 50 states. He estimates the total distance he’s run during road races exceeds 10,000 miles (16,093 kilometers).
“I do get a lot of accolades for how old I am,” Patterson told WMAZ-TV. “And I do brag about how fast I can run.”
He’s showing no signs of slowing down. Patterson ran a 3-hour, 52-minute marathon in Seattle last fall. In April, he qualified for the Boston Marathon.
He’s signed up for 12 marathons this year and hopes to add his first race overseas in China.
Patterson says his wife is his biggest supporter and helper, traveling with him to races and keeping his social media page up to date.
Patterson’s first marathon of the new year will be closer to home, at nearby Robins Air Force Base on Jan. 18.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.