This extraordinary 85-year-old marathoner may be the greatest athlete on Earth

Octogenarian Ed Whitlock is the oldest person to run a marathon in less than four hours. Scientists say his stamina — and disdain for training — have upended their ideas about aging.

Whitlock completing the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in October.
(Image credit: Canada Running Series)

It was a day for talking, not running. Snow was piled along the streets. The driveway was icy. Ed Whitlock's shoulder hurt. His face had been puffy. He did not feel well enough for the cemetery.

At a visitor's urging, Whitlock showed his display of novelty trophies. A beer can for winning a series of races as a 60-year-old. ("There's still beer inside!") A coffee mug for becoming the first (and still only) person older than 70 to run a marathon in under three hours. A baseball for throwing out the first pitch at a minor league game.

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