Antonio Rao, a 92-year-old Italian man, has proven that age is just a number. This year, he finished his 30th Rome Marathon in a row, completing the 42-kilometer race in 6 hours and 44 minutes — 10 minutes faster than last year. For someone in his 90s, finishing a marathon in under 7 hours is extraordinary, but Antonio isn’t an ordinary runner.
Running has been Antonio’s passion for over 80 years. Born in 1933, he ran away from his home in Calabria to Rome when he was just 10 and hasn’t stopped running since. He started running daily as a teenager to keep up with a friend. Since then, running has become his way of life. Even now, he trains 20-30 kilometers weekly. “If I can do it at this age, anyone can. I’d like to be an example of that,” he says, hoping to inspire others.
The Rome Marathon holds a special place in Antonio’s heart. He hasn’t missed it once in the past 30 years. His greatest achievement came in 2023 when he broke the world record for runners aged 90 and above. He finished the marathon in 6 hours and 14 minutes, breaking the M90 world record by a staggering (令人震惊的) 30 minutes.
Despite recent health challenges, Antonio surprised himself this year. “I didn’t think I could finish,” he told reporters after the race. “But I ended up improving my time!” To him, running isn’t just exercise — it’s life itself. “Running and walking keep me going. I encourage everyone to try it,” he adds with a smile.
Antonio’s story shows that determination and daily effort can lead to amazing results. As people worldwide hear about his achievements, he continues to prove that it’s never too late to chase your dreams.
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