79-Year-Old Marathon Runner: Local Celebrity & Global Finisher

The Boston Marathon has long been a proving ground for elite athletes, but it also holds a special place for those who demonstrate enduring dedication and a love of the sport. This past Monday, February 14, 2026, saw 79-year-old Jeannie Rice complete her 39th consecutive Boston Marathon, extending a record that speaks to a lifetime commitment to running.

Rice, a Bay Area resident, isn’t simply participating. she’s consistently finishing one of the world’s most challenging marathons. Her streak began decades ago, and her continued presence on the course is a testament to her physical and mental fortitude. While many athletes peak and then transition to different roles within the sport, Rice continues to redefine what’s possible at an advanced age.

What sets Rice apart isn’t just longevity, but also her remarkable physiology. According to a 2025 study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, her VO2 max – a measure of the maximum amount of oxygen the body can utilize during exercise – was recorded at 47.8. Here’s the highest VO2 max ever recorded for a woman aged 75 or older, and her maximum heart rate reached 180 beats per minute. These figures have drawn the attention of medical researchers eager to understand the factors contributing to her exceptional athletic performance.

Born on April 14, 1948, in South Korea, Rice immigrated to the United States, settling in Mentor, Ohio, as a young adult to pursue nursing studies. Before becoming a celebrated runner, she worked as a real estate agent, reportedly selling 27 homes in her first year. She has since semi-retired, dedicating more time to her passion for running.

Rice’s journey into marathon running began at age 35, initially as a means to lose weight. Inspired by Joan Benoit’s gold medal performance at the 1984 Olympics, she took up the sport and completed her first marathon, the Cleveland Marathon, in 1983 with a time of 3:45. Since then, she has run over 134 marathons by 2025, frequently placing first in her age category.

Her accomplishments extend beyond Boston. By 2019, Rice held the world records for the Akron Marathon and Akron Half Marathon for women 70+ years of age, posting times of 3:27:50 and 1:37:07, respectively. In 2023, she achieved the distinction of becoming a World Marathon Majors six-star finisher, completing marathons in Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York City, and Tokyo.

Rice’s success isn’t limited to outperforming her peers; she has also surpassed all male competitors of her age group in a marathon on five separate occasions. This remarkable feat underscores her exceptional athleticism and dedication to pushing her limits.

The story of Jeannie Rice resonates beyond the running community. It’s a narrative about defying expectations, embracing a healthy lifestyle, and the enduring power of the human spirit. Her achievements challenge conventional notions of aging and demonstrate that physical prowess isn’t necessarily diminished with time.

While Ginette Bedard, another masters runner, is a local celebrity in New York, known for her own impressive marathon record of 4:08:31 set in 2008, Rice’s consistent performance in Boston over nearly four decades sets her apart with a unique historical significance. Bedard, at 86, continues to compete, finding “euphoria” in crossing the finish line, but Rice’s unbroken streak is a different kind of achievement.

The New York Road Runners’ upcoming United Airlines NYC Half on March 16, 2025, which is expected to host over 27,000 athletes, highlights the continued growth and popularity of distance running. While Rice wasn’t participating in that particular event, it underscores the vibrant running community she is a part of.

Jeannie Rice’s story is a reminder that age is often just a number, and that with dedication, perseverance, and a passion for the sport, anything is possible. Her 39th consecutive Boston Marathon isn’t just a personal triumph; it’s an inspiration to runners of all ages and abilities.