Senior Citizen Runs Marathon
80 Year-Old Completes Major Run with Granddaughter in San Diego
Jun 13, 2008
Senior citizen fitness is vital to good senior health: physical and mental well being. One senior took this to the limit by running in and completing the 26-mile San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon on June 1, 2008.
Fred Peirce, 80 years old, said prior to the event, “I am depending on God for strength and courage to finish my race. Joshua 1:9 reads “Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
80 Year-Old Runs Marathon with Granddaughter in San Diego, California
This was Peirce’s first marathon. “I have run in only a few 5 and 10K’s and one 10-mile race,” he said. “Last summer my granddaughter, Catherine Heider, surprised me with the comment that she was going to run the San Diego Marathon… I then surprised myself by quickly stating that I thought that I would also run in San Diego. And in August of [2007], with advice and encouragement from Catherine [and her brother], I actively began training with exercising and running.”
Peirce hails from the beautiful coastal city of San Diego, California (USA). Pre-race he stated, “The idea of running all over San Diego, where my wife and I grew up as kids is a tremendously exciting, challenging, and emotional thought. The race route holds many great memories. The staging area is on the west edge of Balboa Park, which I consider to be one of the great city parks in our country. As kids in the 40’s, we were thrilled to wander around the San Diego Zoo [now world renowned], ride the merry-go-round [in Balboa Park], visit the museums, and drive across Cabrillo Bridge.”
Peirce had many more memories to share as the marathon route also passed through downtown San Diego, Mission Valley, along San Diego Bay and near Mission Bay, home of the famous marine park, Sea World. “The 30’s and 40’s were wonderful times to grow up in San Diego,” shared this remarkable health conscious senior.
Other Seniors Ran in the San Diego Rock 'N' Roll Marathon
Peirce ran in the 80 years and up age group, containing six contestants. According to official results (available at the website linked above), Fred Peirce came in second in his division with his granddaughter running alongside him. While granddaughter Catherine could have run the race at a faster pace (per information from Peirce), she lovingly chose to run the majority of the race with her grandfather, donning a shirt with an arrow pointing Peirce’s way and reading “This is my grandpa!” as can be seen in the photo following.
For more senior health information, see Senior Citizen Fitness Activities.
Inspiring Senior Citizens to Exercise
While not every senior citizen is up to running a long or even short race, Peirce and his granddaughter can be an inspiration to all. People of different generations encouraging each other to greater heights of fitness is a wonderful idea. Each step taken is a step in the right direction and with enough steps, one becomes more fit and healthy.
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Quotes from personal contact with and knowledge of Fred Peirce, before and after marathon.
